Good morning, and happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your loved ones stay safe today as we all continue to ride out 2020 — which is pretty much what the Washington State Cougars did when they shot just 28 percent and turned the ball over 16 times but figured out a way to get past the Texas Southern Tigers in the season opener, 56-52.
An inspired defensive performance in the second half led to a 10-minute-long 19-3 run that turned a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead with about five minutes to play, and while the Tigers were able to tie it up with an 8-0 run of their own, stellar free throw shooting down the stretch from Aljaz Kunc and Isaac Bonton allowed them to survive.