After a 5-5 start that included slip-ups to the likes of Loyola (IL), San Jose State and New Orleans, Washington State has won three straight games, including their conference opener on the road at in-state rival Washington, a game in which star player Josh Hawkinson carried the load for an upstart Cougars group.
Hawkinson, a senior from Shoreline, Washington, posted 26 points on 10-18 shooting on the night, including carrying Washington State through a myriad of lackluster offensive stretches deep into the second half. However, in the waning moments of the game, with a slim lead, the Huskies surging and all ten-eyes on the Washington defense focused on Hawkinson, a new threat from this Cougars group introduced himself to the Pac-12 in style.