NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — In a commanding offensive display, the Washington State Cougars overpowered the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 98 to 74 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Beasley Coliseum.

The Cougars seized control of the contest from the opening tip, building a substantial 54 to 40 lead by halftime and never relenting in front of a crowd of 2,532. The victory improved Washington State’s record to 2 wins and 3 losses on the young season, while Southern Utah fell to 1 win and 5 losses.

Washington State’s offense was fueled by a dominant performance from its frontcourt, led by ND Okafor. The 6-foot-9 forward from Dundalk, Ireland, was a force inside, scoring a game-high 27 points in just 23 minutes of action. His efficiency and presence in the paint set the tone for the Cougars’ offensive onslaught.

He was complemented brilliantly by guard Ace Glass III, who added 20 points and three assists. The backcourt duo of Glass and Jerone Morton proved difficult for the Thunderbirds to contain. Morton, a 6-foot-4 guard from Lexington, Kentucky, filled the stat sheet with 10 points, five assists and two blocks, serving as a primary facilitator for the high-scoring attack.

Further depth was showcased by Eemeli Yalaho, a 6-foot-8 forward from Jyvaskyla, Finland, who contributed 14 points, and Simon Hildebrandt of Winnipeg, Canada, who chipped in eight points.

Southern Utah, despite the lopsided score, found a bright spot in the scoring prowess of Dylan Jones. The 6-foot-5 guard from Saratoga Springs, Utah, led the Thunderbirds with 24 points in 30 minutes on the court. Forward Jaiden Feroah, from Draper, Utah, was the only other Southern Utah player to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points and two blocks.

The game’s outcome was rarely in doubt after Washington State’s explosive first half. The Cougars’ offensive execution and defensive pressure created a margin that Southern Utah could not overcome in the second period, where the teams played to a more even 44 to 34 split.

The contest was part of a multi-team event and served as a get-right game for a Washington State team that had lost three of its first four, including a rivalry game against Washington just five days prior. For Southern Utah, the loss extended a difficult early-season stretch that has seen them face several power-conference opponents, including a 122 to 50 defeat at the hands of Gonzaga earlier in the week.

Looking ahead, Southern Utah returns home to face Nobel University on Saturday. Washington State travels to face Chaminade on Monday as both teams continue their non-conference schedules.