SAN DIEGO – Nate Calmese delivered an outstanding performance, matching his season high with 27 points, including an impressive 22 in the second half, leading Washington State to a narrow 65-61 victory over San Diego on Thursday evening.

Calmese showcased his shooting skills, hitting 9 of 17 attempts from the field, which featured a fine 3-for-8 effort from beyond the arc. He also contributed significantly from the charity stripe, sinking 6 of 7 free throws, culminating in a perfect 4-for-4 in the closing six seconds of the game to secure the win for the Cougars (14-5, 4-2 in the West Coast Conference).

Adding to the team’s effort, Dane Erikstrup recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while LeJuan Watts chipped in with nine points.

On the other side, the Toreros (4-15, 1-5) saw Santiago Trouet leading the charge with 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Tony Duckett contributed 14 points, and Joey Chammaa added 13 in the competitive contest.

In the opening half, Erikstrup accounted for seven points but Washington State found itself trailing at halftime by a slim margin of 27-25. Despite the deficit, the team rallied in the second half, with Calmese’s standout performance guiding them to victory.