GoldandBlack.com - Wazzu Shuts Down Zags

December 6, 2007

CougZone News Services
WazzuWatch.com

Defense has always been the name of the game for Washington State University Cougar men's basketball since former WSU head coach Dick Bennett took over the reins and then passed the torch along to his son and current Cougar head coach Tony Bennett. That was never more apparent than Wednesday evening when the Wazzu's trademark suffocating defense completely shut down the offense of 19th-ranked Gonzaga and gave the 6th-ranked Cougars a 51-47 win over the Zags in Spokane. The Cougar big men led the way as junior center Aron Baynes battled his way to 13 points and seven rebounds while senior forward Robbie Cowgill added a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards to help WSU remain undefeated on the year at 8-0.

Trying to shake off a pesky habit of starting games slowly this season, the Cougars came out of the gate roaring on defense - holding the normally high-flying Gonzaga offense to a mere 19 points in the first half - the Bulldogs' lowest first half output in more than a decade. Meanwhile, the Cougars were able to hit their shots and led by as many as 12 points before coming out of the half with a 28-19 lead.

Gonzaga rebounded in the second half and was able to pull within a single digit at 42-41, but Wazzu's vaunted defense held the Zags without a field goal for the final 5:15 of the game - holding them to 26% shooting overall on the evening - and the Cougars were able to score just enough - senior guard Kyle Weaver added 12 points - to stave off a rally.

The Cougars remain undefeated on the year and handed Gonzaga their first defeat ever as a ranked team on their home court.

The Cougars will next play Portland State at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 9 at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.

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