In a competitive matchup in Malibu, California, Dane Erikstrup excelled by posting 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, a performance that propelled Washington State to a 90-83 win over Pepperdine on Saturday night.
Alongside Erikstrup, Ethan Price made a significant contribution to the Cougars by also scoring 15 points. He was proficient from beyond the arc, netting 3 out of his 6 attempts from three-point range. Price was also a defensive asset, blocking three shots during the game. Contributing further to the team’s victory, ND Okafor was effective with his shooting, making 5 of 6 field goal attempts and perfecting all three free throws to add another 13 points to the team’s scoreboard.
Zion Bethea emerged as a standout for the Pepperdine Waves, leading their offensive efforts with 22 points and contributing defensively with two steals. Supporting this, Dovydas Butka nearly achieved a double-double, scoring 14 points, gathering nine rebounds, and swiping four steals. Moreover, Boubacar Coulibaly played a crucial role by securing 14 points and pulling down eight rebounds.
The game saw Washington State assert their dominance early on, as they captured the lead 12:20 into the first half and maintained control throughout. Price notably led the charge in the first half with 13 points, ensuring that the Cougars went into halftime with a solid 48-34 advantage.
Washington State’s finish in the West Coast Conference standings was notable, as they placed sixth in what was their inaugural season in the WCC.
