Robert Franks scored 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Washington State Cougars easily handled Nicholls State to win their opener, 89-72.
The Cougs (1-0) led by as many as 22 points with just over four minutes to go, and the margin was never below double digits over the final 26 minutes against the Colonels (1-2).
While Franks did what we’ll expect him to do this season — take the green light early and often and score with efficiency (he took just 19 shots) — what was unexpected was the WSU defense, which took the ball away 19 times and held Nicholls State to just 0.