The Washington State Cougars (WSU) defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions 73-59 in a gritty game at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, moving to 2-0 in West Coast Conference play. This victory showcased WSU’s impressive defense and the rising talents of its freshman class.
Freshman Tomas Thrastarson had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 17 points, including four three-pointers—three of which came in the first half. The opening period was highly competitive, with 16 lead changes and neither team leading by more than four points. However, WSU’s depth and steady play eventually helped them take control.
Head coach David Riley expressed confidence in his team, noting, “We’ve got everything we need right here. We have a talented team, and every night we’ll need to prove it. Competing is what we’re about.”
Nate Calmese was a key contributor, scoring 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting. His strong defense, including a key steal that led to a fast-break alley-oop assist to LeJuan Watts, fueled a decisive 23-7 run in the second half.
“I’m just doing what my coaches ask—playing hard, pressuring the ball, and letting defense lead to offense,” Calmese said. “That’s what we emphasized in practice.”
The Cougs made critical adjustments after halftime to shut down LMU’s inside game. The Lions had scored 26 of their 32 first-half points in the paint, but WSU made it a priority to protect the basket in the second half. LMU missed their first seven shots and managed just one three-pointer after the break.
Calmese commented on the defensive strategy, saying, “We wanted to force them to take outside shots, and they played right into that. It worked out for us.”
LeJuan Watts nearly recorded a triple-double, posting eight points, eight assists, and 11 rebounds, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts. Dane Erikstrup also had a strong showing, scoring 14 points, including three three-pointers.
The Cougars’ freshmen continued to impress, with Parker Gerrits (9 minutes) and Kase Wynott (16 minutes) earning more playing time as the season progresses. Riley praised the team’s leadership and the way the upperclassmen are supporting the younger players.
“The freshmen are so well-supported by our upperclassmen,” Riley said. “It’s great to see them step up, and the older guys embrace that role.”
Turnovers were an issue for both teams—WSU committed 18 and LMU had 16—but the Cougs’ defense, combined with their ability to limit second-chance points, proved to be the difference.
With the victory, Washington State now looks ahead to their home opener against the University of San Francisco on January 4, 2025, at Beasley Coliseum, where they’ll look to continue their strong start to the WCC season.
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