Washington’s recent defensive improvements did not stick against the Cougars. WSU’s struggling offense had little trouble finding room against UW’s zone, matching their highest regulation scoring output since the start of conference play. Isaac Bonton, who came into the game shooting under 40% from the floor, choreographed an effective offensive attack that got plenty of clean looks near the basket. WSU stretched the lead to 20 early in the second half. The Huskies did not fold entirely, but the feeble comeback attempt was only enough to get to a 77-62 final.
Coming into the game, the obvious storyline was WSU’s hopeless offense against the Dawgs’ highly questionable defense.