PULLMAN — DaVonte Lacy scored 21 of his 31 points in the first 10 minutes to lead Washington State to a 91-71 win over Texas-San Antonio on Saturday.
The Cougars (4-4) led 52-26 at the half. Washington State failed to score 52 points in an entire game six times last season, when the Cougars finished 10-21.
Lacy buried 5 of 6 shots from 3-point range in the first half, when the Cougars shot 62.1 percent from the field (18 of 29). That included an 11-for-16 effort on 3-pointers (68.8 percent). Lacy tied his season high for points, set Nov. 29 against Missouri State.
Ryan Bowie topped UTSA (3-4) with 22 points.
Washington State posted season highs for points and shooting percentage from the floor (60.8 percent) and on 3-pointers (60 percent). The Cougars started the day ranked far down the list of NCAA Division I teams with 37.8 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from 3-point range.
WSU tied a school record for made 3-pointers by sinking 18 of 30 attempts. Lacy tied career highs with 10 field goals (in 15 attempts) and eight 3-pointers (in 12 attempts).
The Roadrunners rank among the nation’s worst defensive teams with 80.3 points allowed per game and 40.3 percent shooting allowed on 3-pointers.
The 91 points was Washington State’s highest total since a 93-55 win over Santa Clara on Dec. 11, 2011.
Ike Iroegbu scored 14 points for Washington State, and Dexter Kernich-Drew added 12. Keon Lewis had 11 points for UTSA, and Jeromie Hill contributed 10 (5 for 17) and a game-high nine rebounds.
The Cougars won despite making 20 turnovers (two off their season high) and drawing a season-high 23 fouls. UTSA outscored Washington State 45-39 in the second half, when increased dribble penetration by the Roadrunners helped draw 14 WSU fouls.
TIP-INS
Texas-San Antonio: The Roadrunners have allowed 89.0 points per game in their past three contests, including two losses and an 88-83 overtime win at Northern Arizona.
Washington State: Lacy climbed from 22nd to 18th on the Cougars’ career scoring list with 1,171 points. He moved into seventh place in 3-pointers made with 207.
UP NEXT
Texas-San Antonio visits Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 15.
Washington State visits No. 9 Gonzaga on Wednesday.
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