The Sports Xchange
Dec 22, 2017
Blistering 15-of-34 shooting from behind the 3-point line carried Washington State to an 86-58 win over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash.
Washington State (8-4) scored 39 of its first 63 points from behind the 3-point line thanks to effective dribble-drive penetration. The Cougars got clean looks at the basket while drawing in Bethune-Cookman defenders and then passing out beyond the arc.
Washington State scored 19 of its 26 field goals off assists. Guard Malachi Flynn and forward Drick Bernstine set the pace with seven and five assists, respectively.
The combination of outside shooting and unselfish ball movement landed five Cougars in double figures, and all but one hit multiple 3-pointers.
Forward Robert Franks led the way with 28 points, including four 3-pointers. Guard Viont'e Daniels scored all 12 of his points from behind the arc and all of guard Carter Skaggs' four field goals came from deep. He finished with 14 points.
Flynn knocked down two 3-pointers en route to 12 points, and Bernstine had 10 points without a 3-pointer. Bernstine also set a season high with 15 rebounds. Bethune-Cookman (5-9) rallied from a 10-point deficit in the first half to force a tie at intermission, then scored the first points out of the break for a lead.
The advantage was fleeting. After going ahead 42-40, the Wildcats were outscored 46-16 the rest of the way.
Forward Soufiyane Diakite led Bethune-Cookman with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Jeffrey Altidort added 12 points.