PULLMAN, Wash. — In a long-overdue renewal of an old rivalry, Gonzaga stormed into Beasley Coliseum and left no doubt about their dominance over Washington State, completing a season sweep with an 84-63 victory on Feb. 19. The Bulldogs, who defeated the Cougars 88-75 in Spokane earlier in the season, extended their winning streak over WSU to seven games.
Leading the charge for the Zags was combo guard Nolan Hickman, who put on a stellar performance with 23 points, five assists, and efficient shooting—hitting 57.1% from the field and a scorching 80% from beyond the arc. Forward Graham Ike controlled the paint, recording a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 55.6% from the field. His consistency at the free-throw line was crucial, as he converted all seven of his attempts.
Despite a strong showing from WSU forward LeJaun Watts, who scored 19 points with five assists while shooting 53.8% from the field and 75% from three-point range, the Cougars were unable to match Gonzaga’s relentless attack. The Bulldogs’ defensive pressure and offensive execution proved too much for Washington State, as Gonzaga built a comfortable lead early and never looked back.
The History Behind the Rivalry
This latest chapter in the Gonzaga-Washington State rivalry comes after a decade-long hiatus, with the two teams not having faced each other since 2015. The rivalry dates back to 1907, when the Cougars won the first-ever meeting 21-18. Despite Washington State’s all-time series lead of 98-54, Gonzaga has dominated the matchup in the Mark Few era. Since taking over as head coach in 1999, Few has led the Bulldogs to a 16-3 record against the Cougars, reflecting the program’s meteoric rise to national prominence over the last two decades.
The renewed rivalry brings an extra layer of excitement to college basketball in the Pacific Northwest. While Washington State’s move to the West Coast Conference remains a hot topic, Gonzaga’s continued dominance underscores the gap that still exists between the programs. Whether WSU can close that gap in the coming seasons remains to be seen, but fans on both sides will be eager to see how the rivalry unfolds.
Gonzaga’s Winning Streak Ends, WSU’s Struggles Continue
Following their victory over Washington State, Gonzaga’s five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Feb. 22, as they fell 74-67 at home to longtime WCC rival Saint Mary’s. Gaels center Mitchell Saxen controlled the interior with 16 points and nine rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field. Saint Mary’s defense played a decisive role, holding Gonzaga to just 29% from three-point range while the Gaels knocked down 42% of their own attempts from deep. Despite another strong performance from Ike, who scored 19 points on 63.6% shooting and remained perfect from the free-throw line (5-for-5), the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome the Gaels’ defensive clamps.
Meanwhile, things have gone from bad to worse for Washington State. Three days after their loss to Gonzaga, the Cougars were dismantled by Santa Clara, 109-79, at home. The Broncos’ high-powered offense, led by point guard Carlos Stewart’s 22 points on 66.7% shooting and 57.1% from downtown overwhelmed a WSU defense that had no answers. While Cougars guard Nate Calmese put up a respectable 20 points and four assists while shooting 53.3% from the field and 50% from deep, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Santa Clara’s relentless scoring attack.
Looking Ahead
With the renewed rivalry now back in motion, the anticipation for next season’s matchup is already building. Can Washington State regroup and close the gap, or will Gonzaga continue its dominance? Mark Few’s Bulldogs have proven time and time again that they are the standard-bearers in the Pacific Northwest, but as history has shown, anything can happen when old rivals meet on the hardwood.
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