Washington State uses hot second half to defeat Oregon State 65 58

PULLMAN, Wash. — Oscar Clubb scored 20 points off the bench, Andrej Jakimovski had all 15 of his points in the second half and Washington State defeated Oregon State 65 58 on Thursday night. The Cougars were red hot after trailing 24 21 at the half, hitting 5 of 7 3 pointers and shooting 70% overall (14 of 20) and made 11 of 14 free throws.

Cluff, a junior college transfer, was 8 of 11 shooting and had eight rebounds for his best game with the Cougars (10 4, 1 2 Pac 12 Conference). Jakimovski went 4 of 4 behind the arc in the second half. Myles Rice added 12 points and reserve Jaylen Wells added 11. Jordan Pope scored 20 points to lead the Beavers (9 5, 1 2), who were playing their first true road game.

KC Ibekwe had 12 points. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Oregon State comes up short against Washington State 65 58 Wells drilled a 3 pointer to put WSU on top 60 53 with 1:34 to play. Christian Wright quickly countered for the Beavers but Wells then converted a three point play with 32.4 seconds left that made it 63 56.

Jakimovski iced it with two free throws with 7.4 remaining after a Beaver miss. The Beavers never trailed in the first half and were up 16 6 after Wright drilled a 3 pointer but the Cougars came back with an 11 2 run to get within 18 17 after a three point play by Cluff. The score was 24 21 at the half.

Oregon State shot 31% (10 of 32) with two 3 pointers while the Cougars made 5 of 20 shots, missing all seven of their 3s. However, WSU made 11 of 13 from the foul line to 2 of 2 for the Beavers. Cluff scored Washington State's first nine points of the second half with his fast break dunk giving the Cougars their first lead at 30 28.

After Pope hit a 3 pointer for the Beavers, Jakimovski did the same for the Cougs and they never trailed again. Jakimovski hit consecutive treys and after an OSU free throw Wells was fouled on a 3 and his free throws gave Washington State a 49 38 lead with 9:12 to play. Ibekwe then scored the next nine points to bring the Beavers back within 49 47 with 5:20 to go.

Oregon State goes across state to play Washington on Saturday while Oregon visits WSU..