PULLMAN, Wash. — Nolan Hickman had an impressive performance with 23 points, leading Gonzaga to a decisive 84-63 victory over Washington State on Wednesday evening.

In addition to his scoring prowess, Hickman contributed five assists for the Bulldogs, who improved their record to 21-7 overall and 12-3 in the West Coast Conference. Graham Ike also made a significant impact, finishing the game with 17 points on 5 of 9 shooting, along with a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line, while securing 13 rebounds. Michael Ajayi added 12 points, demonstrating efficiency with 4 of 6 shooting from the field and 4 for 4 at the charity stripe.

On the Cougars’ side, LeJuan Watts stood out with 19 points, five assists, and two blocks, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win for Washington State, which now holds a record of 16-12 and 6-9 in conference play. Teammate Tomas Thrastarson and Isaiah Watts both contributed with 12 points each, with Watts also providing three steals.

Gonzaga took control of the game roughly 5 and a half minutes after the opening tip-off and maintained their lead throughout. By halftime, they had established a solid 50-28 advantage, largely thanks to Hickman, who had scored 12 points by then. Although Washington State outperformed Gonzaga by a point in the second half, the Bulldogs maintained their lead, with Hickman leading his team with 11 points in the latter period, ensuring their victory.

This match highlighted Gonzaga’s strength in the West Coast Conference and featured standout performances from several players, showcasing their depth and ability to maintain leads against competitive opponents.