WSU vs. Stanford final score: Cougars hold on for upset win

Washington State entered its game against Stanford on Saturday riding a four-game losing streak. With a red-hot Stanford team coming into Pullman, the challenge for the Cougars was a significant one. WSU proved to be up for the challenge, holding on during a wild final few minutes for an 89-88 victory.

The Cougars appeared to be in great position to come away with the win late in the game. WSU led by eight points with just 1:44 to play, but the game quickly turned. Dorian Pickens made a layup and got fouled to make it a six-point game. Pickens missed the free throw, however, and Stanford got the rebound. The Cardinal then drained a three for a five-point possession. That cut the lead to three and Stanford would chip it all the way down to a single point.

Washington State had a response of its own. DaVonte Lacy made a free throw to increase the lead to 85-83. The Cougar defense then got a stop and Ike Iroegbu hit a pair of free throws to put the Cougars up four with just 18 ticks on the clock. Stanford cut the lead right back to 87-85, but Nye Redding rolled in two free throws to ice the game. Stanford hit a desperation three at the buzzer, but it did not matter. Cougs win.

Stanford entered the game with one of the best offenses in the country. The Cougars' defense has been far from Seahawkian, but WSU did a solid job against the Cardinal. The recipe for a Cougar win was similar to wins earlier this season; shoot the ball well, increase the pace and play just enough defense to win.

The game didn't start off well for WSU with Stanford taking a double-digit lead early on. The Cougars started to pick things up at the 10-minute mark of the first half and quickly erased the lead to take a 42-41 lead into halftime. Lacy led the way with 25 points while all five Cougar starters scored in double figures.