WASHINGTON STATE'S THREE-POINT BARRAGE TOO MUCH FOR MENS BASKETBALL

11/21/2008

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Taylor Rochestie (17) and Klay Thompson (17) combined for 34 points and 10 three-pointers to lead Washington State to a 76-55 victory over Sacramento State in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday evening at Friel Court.

Washington State shot 15-of-29 (47.5 percent) from beyond the three-point line, as 45 of the team’s 76 points were accumulated beyond the arc. Sacramento State shot well from the field (46.8 percent, 22-of-47) and the three-point line (44.4 percent, 8-of-18), but could not overcome 18 turnovers (converted into 22 Washington State points) and the three-point accuracy of the Cougars.

With the loss, Sacramento State, which is in the midst of a four-game road trip to begin the year, dropped to 0-3. In addition, the team fell to 1-29 all-time against teams from the Pacific-10 Conference with the last win coming over Washington State during the 1953-54 season.

The Cougars, who are currently receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today top 25 poll, improved to 3-0 overall, and 6-1 all-time against the Hornets, with each of those six victories coming in Pullman. Entering the game, Washington State had allowed its opponents an average of just 29.0 points per game before the Hornets wracked up 55 tonight.

Sacramento State took its last lead at 16-15 with 10:14 remaining in the first half, before Washington State went on a 26-12 run over the final 9:06 to take a 41-28 halftime lead. The Hornets got no closer the rest of the way.

Rochestie went 5-of-6 from the three-point line, Thompson was 5-of-9, and Daven Harmeling (13 points, 3-of-8) each knocked down at least three three-pointers. In fact, the Cougars shot better from the three-point line than they did from the field overall (47.5 percent, 28-of-59). In a game where the two teams combined for just eight made free throws, Washington State held a slight advantage on the glass (29-28) and had 10 more assists (22-12) than the Hornets.

Sacramento State had four players finish with at least nine points, comprised of juniors Mike Edwards (10 points, 5-of-5 shooting), Antonio Flaggs (9, 3-of-3 from beyond the arc) and Justin Eller (9, 4-of-7 from the field), and senior Loren Leath (9). Junior point guard Mike Marcial led the team with four rebounds while Leath had a team-best three assists.

Edwards, who is second on the Hornets in scoring at 8.7 points per game, is now shooting a team-best 76.5 percent (13-of-17) from the field this season.

Sacramento State wraps up its season-long four-game road trip on Tuesday, Nov. 25, when the team travels to Cal State Bakersfield. The Hornets will then play three of their next four games inside the friendly confines, including the home opener against Idaho on Monday, Dec. 1.