Portland knocks out Washington State 74-68 in WCC Tournament second round in Las Vegas

Portland advances to face San Francisco after second-half surge

Washington State’s men’s basketball season ended Friday, March 6, with a 74-68 loss to Portland in the second round of the West Coast Conference Tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The result eliminated the Cougars from the event and closed their season at 12-20 overall, including 7-11 in WCC play.

Portland, the tournament’s No. 9 seed, improved to 15-18 overall (6-12 WCC) and moved on to a third-round matchup against No. 5 seed San Francisco scheduled for Saturday, March 7.

How the game turned after halftime

Washington State carried a 29-25 lead into the break, but Portland controlled the second half with 49 points. Portland’s push was built on improved efficiency after halftime and a series of stops that limited Washington State’s ability to generate clean looks during key stretches.

Washington State’s offense struggled to find consistent rhythm. The Cougars finished at 38% shooting from the field and went 9-for-31 from three-point range. Freshman guard Ace Glass led Washington State with 19 points, but the Cougars were unable to produce enough secondary scoring to offset Portland’s balance and late-game execution.

Key performers for Portland

Guard Garrett Nuckolls scored a career-high 23 points for the Pilots, including 17 in the second half. Portland also received double-doubles from Jermaine Ballisager Webb (11 points, 12 rebounds) and Joel Foxwell (17 points, 10 rebounds), with Foxwell adding five assists. In the closing minutes, Foxwell converted eight free throws to help Portland protect its lead.

• Garrett Nuckolls: 23 points, including a second-half scoring burst
• Joel Foxwell: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; steady free-throw shooting late
• Jermaine Ballisager Webb: 11 points, 12 rebounds

What the result means

The win extended Portland’s run in Las Vegas to two games, following a first-round victory over Pepperdine. The Pilots’ tournament momentum set up a meeting with San Francisco, with the winner slated to continue through the WCC bracket.

Washington State entered the tournament looking to reset its season with a postseason run, but Portland’s second-half surge proved decisive.

For Washington State, the loss underscored recurring issues away from home, particularly extended scoring droughts and reliance on perimeter shooting. Portland’s ability to win the second half and close at the foul line ultimately separated the teams.