Cougs go Duck Hunting in Eugene
WASHINGTON STATE (10-7, 3-7)
at Oregon (9-3, 4-2) | Thr., Feb. 4 | 8 p.m.
Live Stats | Statbroadcast
Watch | FS1 (Alex Faust & Casey Jacobsen)
Listen | WSU IMG Radio Network (Matt Chazanow & Craig Ehlo)
OPENING FIVE
> The Cougs look to keep it rolling against Oregon Thursday having defeated the Ducks last season at Pullman when Oregon was ranked No. 8 in the country. The win was just the third top-10 win for WSU all-time and the first since 2007. WSU is looking for its first win in Eugene since 2009.
> WSU is a perfect 13-0 against teams from the Pacific Northwest under head coach Kyle Smith after cruising to a 77-62 win at Washington the last time out.
> Senior Isaac Bonton returned to the lineup to score 25 against the Huskies, his 6th 20+ point game in Pac-12 play. He is averaging 20.0 ppg on 45.3% shooting (40% from deep) in Pac-12 play.
> Sophomore Noah Williams continues his dominance in his hometown of Seattle tying a career-high with 21 points at Washington. He has scored 14+ in each of his last five contests. Additionally, he has been the Cougs best from deep on the year hitting 29-of-63 (46.0%), third among Pac-12 shooters.
> Freshmen have powered the Cougs as Efe Abogidi (17), Andrej Jakimovski (15), and Dishon Jackson (8) have moved into the starting lineup. Their combined 40 starts is the second most in Division I.
GAME INFORMATION - AT OREGON
The Cougs remain on the road as they stay west to take on the Oregon Schools. First up is a trip to Eugene to take on Oregon in the lone regular season matchup between the two sides. Oregon sits in third in the conference after last falling to Oregon State in a rivalry matchup two weeks ago. The Ducks were in the midst of their second Covid-19 pause having postponed their last three games including a pair with UCLA.
Last season, the Cougs upset the then ranked #8 Ducks at Beasley Coliseum, 72-61. It was WSU's first top-10 win since 2007, the team's third win all-time over the nation's top-10.
LAST TIME OUT - AT WASHINGTON
WSU 77 - UW 62 | Jan. 31, 2021 | Pullman
The Cougs dominated the day in Seattle led by Isaac Bonton and Noah Williams who combined for 46 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals. In the paint, WSU held a 48-28 rebounding advantage while dropping a season-high 42 points in the paint. The 15 point margin of victory was the largest for the Cougs in Seattle since 1994.
BONTON LIGHTING UP THE PAC-12
Senior Isaac Bonton has started a new double-digit scoring streak (2-straight) after seeing his 30-game streak come to an end against Utah (was the 2nd longest streak in the country).
Overall, Bonton has 39 career double-digit scoring games. He is averaging 18.5 ppg, 2nd among all Pac-12 scorers. He has seven times gone for 20+ points (six in the last eight games) including a season-high 28 in the opener, 27 at USC, and 25 at Washignton. He has 12 career 20+ point scoring effort.
Bonton has been hot in 2021 averaging 20.6 ppg on 48.5% (63-130) shooting including hitting 41.9% (18-43) from deep while also averaging 4.0 assists per game.
On the year the senior is fourth in the conference in getting to the line with 87 attempts (56th in the country) and ninth in makes at 57.
In addition to his offensive spark, Bonton has been the Cougs' best perimeter defender having posted a team-best 30 steals on the year including 19 in the last eight games.
Against Oregon last season, Bonton scored 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST PERFECTION
Midway into his second season at WSU, head coach Kyle Smith has proven dominant against regional rivals as the Cougs are perfect in the Pacific Northwest at 13-0.
In 2020-21, the Cougs have defeated Washington, Eastern Washington, Oregon State, Idaho, Portland State, and Montana State to keep their record perfect.
Last season the Cougs reigned supreme in the Pacific Northwest sweeping UW, Oregon, and Oregon State in Pac-12 play while beating. Seattle, Idaho, and Idaho State for good measure in non-conference play. In addition, WSU beat Eastern Washington and Montana in closed scrimmages prior to the start of the regular season.
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