California-WSU: Golden Bears Hand Cougars Loss at Home

For Washington State fans, it looks as though it was best that the game in Pullman against Cal tonight wasn’t televised.  So many hearts would have been broken, from the Palouse to west of Puget Sound.

How in the heck does an unranked team from California win in Pullman when the town and university are shut down due to a serious blizzard?  Even the governor conceded that weather was a major concern in the Palouse, declaring a state of emergency.

As it turns out, No. 9 ranked WSU did play well enough to win, but couldn’t convert opportunities at the end to secure the victory. 

In Tempe they managed to pull out a win with defense in the final seconds.  This game was decided when the Cougs couldn’t knock down a shot with seconds left.

The Cougs were down 67-64 with 20 seconds to go.  Taylor Rochestie put up a three-point attempt that doinked off the rim with about 10 seconds left. 

But wait!  The ball shot out of bounds off a Bear and there was still hope for WSU. 

With the clock winding down, Derrick Low (who was colder than the weather that night…we’re talking 2-11 from the field) got off an attempt at a trey, teasing Cougar Nation by going in and out.  In the ensuing scramble, WSU was called for a foul that allowed Cal to toss in a couple of meaningless free throws.  The Bears' work was already done.

Aside from the weird weather, it was a strange night for the Cougar offense.  There were only two exceptions when it came to shooting from the field.  Who would have thought that both Low and Daven Harmeling would combine for a horrendous 3-16?  Despite their futility, Cougs were still a respectable 45% from the field.

Rather than rationalize that every PAC-10 conference game is tough, let’s be blunt.  This loss hurts.

Sure, it’s only one loss, but it comes a little by surprise.  On a night when Aron Baynes had just one personal foul in 22 minutes, the Cougs lose?  Are you serious?

Even though Pullman was closed because of the snow, there were 8,800 fans urging the Cougs on.  That accounts for more than 8,000 broken hearts.  And how do you mend a broken heart?  Prescription: Solid win Saturday over the other set of Northern California kids from Stanford.

Well, this is the first home loss for Coach Tony Bennett’s Cougars.  A tough loss.  Time to rest and regroup for the Stanford Cardinal (ranked No. 14) on Saturday.  Stanford will come into town, providing the snowplows can clear a path, hot off a thrashing of the Huskies. 

The Cardinal calmly stuffed the UDubh 65-51.  They will need to be hot to beat both the weather and Washington State.  You can trust that Coach Bennett will have the troops ready for the Lopez twins and company.

GO COUGS!!!