Washington State Secures 104‑74 Victory Over Portland Washington State defeated Portland 104‑74 on Saturday, moving its overall record to 11‑13 and its West Coast Conference tally to 6‑5, while the Pilots fell to 10‑14 overall and 3‑8 in league play [1]. The win came in a WCC showdown that solidified the Cougars’ position above .500 in conference competition [1]. Both teams entered the game with similar overall records, making the margin of victory notable [1].

Eemeli Yalaho Leads Scoring With 26 Points Forward Eemeli Yalaho posted 26 points and nine rebounds, scoring 16 of his points in the first half as Washington State built a 53‑31 halftime lead [1]. Yalaho’s inside presence helped the Cougars establish early dominance and maintain offensive rhythm throughout the game [1]. His performance was highlighted as the primary driver of the team’s scoring surge [1].

Rihards Vavers Perfect Shooting Boosts Cougars Guard Rihards Vavers contributed 18 points on flawless shooting, going 4‑of‑5 from three‑point range and 6‑for‑6 from the free‑throw line while adding five rebounds [1]. Vavers’ efficiency complemented Yalaho’s scoring, creating a balanced offensive attack that the Pilots could not match [1]. His perfect shooting line was cited as a key factor in extending the lead early in the second half [1].

Portland’s Joel Foxwell Tops Pilots With 21 Despite the loss, Portland’s Joel Foxwell led his team with 21 points, followed by James O’Donnell’s 16 and Cameron Williams’ 11 [1]. The Pilots attempted a comeback but could not overcome the Cougars’ 23‑point advantage after a decisive 7‑0 run early in the second half [1]. Foxwell’s effort was noted as the sole bright spot for Portland amid the overall defeat [1].

Cougars Maintain Lead, Never Trail After First Half Washington State seized control with 12:51 left in the first half and never relinquished the lead, expanding the margin to 23 points early in the second half before holding on for the win [1]. The game data were compiled using technology from Data Skrive and statistical feeds from Sportradar, underscoring the reliability of the reported statistics [1]. The Cougars’ sustained advantage highlighted their defensive solidity and offensive efficiency throughout the contest [1].