Faisal Aden scored 17 points in 21 minutes off the bench, leading the Washington State Cougars to a 67-56 win over the Pepperdine Waves in the Cougar Hardwood Classic at Key Arena in Seattle. What was an ugly defensive battle in the first half turned into a shootout in the final 20 minutes, but the Cougars' first-half lead held up.
The Cougars led 26-15 at halftime, but the two teams each scored 41 points in the second half. The Waves got double-doubles from both Corbin Moore (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Taylor Darby (13 points, 10 rebounds). It was the second straight double-double for Darby and eighth of his career, and the fifth straight game that Moore has scored in double figures.
Pepperdine shot just 35.6% from the field in defeat, including making just four of 15 shots (26.7%) from three-point range. DaVonte Lacy added 15 points for Washington State. Pepperdine is 1-2 against Pac-12 Conference teams this season.
Pepperdine (6-5) begins its West Coast Conference play on December 29 against the San Francisco Dons.