Despite the return of two players to the court, the WSU men’s basketball team fell to Arizona State 47-66. 

The Cougars (7-7, 0-2) started the game out five of 21 shooting and trailed the Sun Devils (12-3, 1-1) by 11 points with less than five minutes left in the first half. However, WSU went on a 7-0 run to finish out the first half, closing the Sun Devils’ lead to four at halftime.

Entering the second half, the WSU team picked up where it left off and brought the game within two points with the help of redshirt freshman guard Que Johnson.

However, the Cougars’ small run was cut off due to the play of Arizona State senior guard Jermaine Marshall, who at one point scored eight consecutive points and finished the night with 26 points. Marshall and the Sun Devils made a living from behind the three-point line. ASU made nine three-pointers and shot 45 percent from behind the three-point line.

In the second half, the Cougars scored just two baskets in seven minutes of play. The Cougars’ offensive struggles in the second half allowed the Sun Devils to take full control of the game and win their first Pac-12 game of the season. 

WSU’s Johnson led the team in scoring with 18 points, and he scored 15 points in the second half.

WSU junior guard DaVonte Lacy returned to the Cougars today after missing the previous two games due to appendicitis, but he played only the first half. 

WSU men’s basketball Head Coach Ken Bone said Lacy suffered an injury to the ribs, which caused him miss the second half and is currently getting checked out at the hospital. Lacy scored four points in his return debut for the Cougars.

WSU redshirt junior guard Dexter Kernich-Drew also returned to the Cougars after missing the game against Arizona on Thursday. Kernich-Drew finished the night scoring five points.

The Cougars will look to win their first Pac-12 game of the season when they host the Colorado Buffaloes (13-2, 2-0) Wednesday at 6 p.m.