Originally published Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM

WSU Men's Basketball | Cougars hold off Grizzlies

Tony Bennett wasn't surprised that his No. 9 Cougars had a rough time with unheralded Montana on Friday night. "I had a feeling it would...

By Nicholas K. Geranios

The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. — Tony Bennett wasn't surprised that his No. 9 Cougars had a rough time with unheralded Montana on Friday night.

"I had a feeling it would be a real good test," Bennett said.

It was for more than 30 minutes, before Washington State (4-0) pulled away for a 66-55 win in the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Classic.

Bennett had seen the Grizzlies rebound from a poor start in a loss to Gonzaga, had seen them dismantle Colorado State, and knew they were a veteran team with NCAA tournament experience.

Montana (3-2) stayed close much of the game by winning the rebound battle 28-27 and making eight of 18 three-pointers.

The Cougars had only seven turnovers in the game, only two in the second half. They shot 49 percent while holding Montana to 39 percent.

Most damaging, to Montana coach Wayne Tinkle, was Washington State making 12 of 15 free throws in the second half, while his team made its only two opportunities.

Washington State led just 28-26 at halftime, and built a 35-28 lead early in the second. An 8-0 run capped by consecutive layups by Derrick Low gave Washington State its biggest lead at 57-42.



MONTANA 55
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts

Hasquet	30	3-9	0-0	2-6	3	3	7
Strait	28	3-9	4-4	2-4	0	1	10
Rundles	31	4-11	3-3	2-4	4	1	13
Staudacher	29	1-4	0-0	0-2	2	2	3
Martin	24	3-6	0-0	1-2	1	3	9
Elgin-Taylor	21	0-3	0-0	0-2	1	1	0
Graves	8	1-1	0-0	0-1	1	1	2
Sharp	18	2-3	0-0	0-3	0	2	5
Qvale	10	2-2	2-2	0-1	0	2	6
	199	19-48	9-9	9-28	12	16	55

Percentages: FG .396, FT 1.000. Three-point goals: 8-18, .444 (Martin 3-6, Rundles 2-5, Staudacher 1-2, Sharp 1-2, Hasquet 1-3). Team rebounds: 3. Blocked shots: 2 (Qvale, Strait). Turnovers: 14 (Rundles 6, Sharp 2, Martin 2, Staudacher, Qvale, Hasquet, Graves). Steals: 3 (Martin, Rundles, Strait). Technical fouls: None.



WASHINGTON ST. 66
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts

Cowgill	33	2-6	3-4	1-5	2	3	7
Baynes	27	6-8	2-2	3-9	0	3	14
Low	37	4-10	5-6	0-1	0	1	14
Rochestie	38	7-10	1-2	1-4	6	1	17
Weaver	35	4-7	4-5	1-4	5	1	12
Koprivica	8	0-0	0-0	0-1	0	1	0
Harmeling	19	1-7	0-0	0-1	0	1	2
Forrest	3	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0
	200	24-49	15-19	7-27	13	11	66

Percentages: FG .490, FT .789. Three-point goals: 3-12, .250 (Rochestie 2-3, Low 1-4, Forrest 0-1, Harmeling 0-4). Team rebounds: 2. Blocked shots: 3 (Baynes 2, Weaver). Turnovers: 7 (Rochestie 2, Weaver 2, Koprivica, Baynes, Low). Steals: 6 (Rochestie 3, Low 2, Cowgill). Technical fouls: None.