The Washington State Cougars used stifling defense to power past the Santa Clara Broncos, 63-50, in the opening round of the NIT in Pullman on Tuesday night.
The Cougs improved to 20-14, their first 20-win season since the last time they were in the NIT in 2010-11. They’ll face the winner of SMU and Nicholls, which will be played Wednesday night at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN+. If the Mustangs win (as kenpom.com gives them a 91% chance to do), the Cougars will travel to Dallas to face them in the second round on either March 19 or 20.