Colorado St. @ Washington St. preview

Washington State couldn't hold a second-half lead against Nebraska in their first Cayman Islands Classic contest on Monday, but the Cougars rebounded Tuesday to defeat Old Dominion. The Cougars next will play Colorado State in the fifth-place game of this tournament on Wednesday.

Washington State had a three-point lead at the half against the Cornhuskers but couldn't keep up the pace after intermission and dropped an 82-71 decision. The Cougars led by a bucket at the half against the Monarchs and used a 25-6 second-half run fueled by 10 points from Marvin Cannon to take control and cruise to a 66-50 victory. "We did some soul-searching last night,'' Cougars coach Kyle Smith said. "You never know how you're going to bounce back from a loss, especially this early in the season. We compete hard, and a lot of guys contributed. I thought Marvin Cannon really stepped up." Colorado State, which was pasted by 34 points by No. 1 Duke in the second game of the season, picked up a 61-60 win over Loyola Chicago on Tuesday when Isaiah Stevens converted a floater with a second left.

TV: 11:30 p.m., ET, No TV

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (3-3): CJ Elleby was fantastic again, scoring 21 points and draining three triples in scoring at least 20 points for the fourth straight game and fifth time this season. Cannon came off the bench to score 14 points - his first double-digit outing of the season - and added five rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks and a steal in 30 minutes. The Cougars committed just seven turnovers and lead the country in turnover percentage (11.5) which has helped offset an effective field-goal percentage (2-and 3-pointers combined) of 43.5 - 311th in Division I.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (4-3): The Rams overcame a nine-point deficit at the final media timeout with Stevens' driving layup cutting the deficit to one, and a missed front end of a 1-and-1 led to his game-winner. "It was a heck of a performance by our guys to stay with it and be able to come back. The game yesterday was a similar finish and we couldn't make that 'one more' play, but today, we made one more play," coach Niko Medved said about Monday's 78-70 overtime loss to New Mexico State. "It was a huge win by our guys against a very good team and now we have to get ready to come back tomorrow and do it again." Sophomore Kendle Moore led four Rams with 15 points while Stevens (13.3 points, 15-of-28 3-pointers, 3.7 assists) added 14 points and four assists and Adam Thistlewood (10.3 points) added 14 points and three 3-pointers.

TIP-INS

1. Cougars junior college transfer Isaac Bonton shot 3-of-12 for nine points Tuesday after entering averaging 15.8 points but shooting just 33 percent from the floor.

2. The Rams' big advantage on their opponents is at the line, where the Rams have made more free throws (108) than their foes have attempted.

3. Washington State senior G Jervae Robinson scored 10 points on Tuesday - his first double-digit scoring game this season.

PREDICTION: Washington State 68, Colorado State 66