Last season the WSU Cougars lost a heartbreaker on the road against Pepperdine 56-58 in overtime. Tonight, WSU got its revenge when the men’s basketball team defeated the Pepperdine Waves (6-5) by a score of 78-61.

“Our guys did a good job executing,” WSU men’s basketball Head Coach Ken Bone said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

The Cougars (5-4) started the game on a 10-0 run and were in control for most of the first half. The first eight points of the game for WSU came inside the paint, and they outscored the Waves by a score of 41-26 in the first half.

Bone said he loved the way his team executed in the first half and he acknowledged how well the team was able to get many open shots.

In the first half, WSU redshirt freshman guard Que Johnson led the way for the Cougars by scoring nine points off the bench. WSU finished the first half making 18 of 33 shot attempts, which was the best the team has shot all season. The Cougars also stole the ball eight times in the first half, which was a season high.

The Cougars had control at the start of the second half and edged out to a 13-point lead with less than 18 minutes left in the game. However, the Waves went on a 9-2 run and cut the deficit to eight points with 10 minutes left in the second half. Pepperdine freshman guard Jeremy Major hit a 3-pointer that put the Waves within six points of the Cougars. Major finished the night with 17 points.

A play made by WSU freshman forward Josh Hawkinson helped to prevent a Waves comeback. Hawkinson came off the bench for the Cougars and made two key free throws along with grabbing five rebounds.

The Cougars finished out the game strong and won by 17 for their fifth win of the season. WSU redshirt junior guard Royce Woolridge led the team in scoring with 20 points, and Johnson scored 14 points off the bench. Johnson showed more aggression by taking 11 shots in the game.

“Coach just said in practice to be more aggressive,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he is starting to get back to his old self and is excited for Pac-12 play to start.

The Cougars will take on San Francisco State Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. on the Pac-12 networks.