NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — In a hard-fought interstate battle, the Washington Huskies used a dominant first-half performance to secure an 81-69 victory over the Washington State Cougars in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night at a neutral-site Beasley Coliseum.

A crowd of 5,320 watched as the Huskies built a commanding 14-point halftime lead and then weathered a persistent second-half push from the Cougars to improve their season record to 3-1. Washington State fell to 1-3 with the loss, which defied pregame projections that had favored the Cougars.

The game was ultimately decided by the explosive scoring duo of Washington guards Wesley Yates and Zoom Diallo. Yates, a sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, poured in a game-high 26 points, showcasing his scoring prowess from all three levels. Diallo, a Tacoma native, was equally brilliant, contributing 20 points and dishing out four assists, his playmaking crucial in breaking down the Cougar defense.

Washington established control from the opening tip, racing out to an early advantage. The Huskies’ first-half offense was a model of efficiency, scoring 44 points by consistently finding high-percentage shots and capitalizing on Cougar mistakes. While Washington State found moments of rhythm, particularly from Emmanuel Ugbo and Eemeli Yalaho, they struggled to string together stops and sustained offensive possessions against a disciplined Huskies squad.

The Huskies took a 44-30 lead into the locker room, a margin built on the strength of their backcourt and a physical presence inside.

The second half saw a determined effort from Washington State to claw back into the game. The Cougars outscored the Huskies 39-37 after halftime, repeatedly cutting the deficit to within striking distance. Yalaho, the 6-foot-8 forward from Finland, provided a significant spark off the bench, finishing with 15 points and demonstrating a versatile inside-out game. Fellow big man Ugbo, from the Netherlands, added 11 points, using his strength in the paint.

Guard Ace Glass III also provided a second-half lift for the Cougars, scoring 12 of his points after the break to keep the pressure on Washington. However, every time Washington State mounted a charge, the Huskies had an answer, often from Yates or Diallo, to stifle the momentum.

Washington’s interior defense also played a pivotal role in the victory. Hannes Steinbach, the 6-foot-11 center from Germany, was a force on both ends, scoring 14 points, grabbing numerous key rebounds, and recording a block. His countryman, Franck Kepnang, anchored the paint with three blocked shots, altering countless others and making life difficult for Cougar drivers.

For Washington State, ND Okafor was a defensive presence with three blocks, but the Cougars could not overcome Washington’s efficient offensive execution and their own sporadic shooting.

The victory gives Washington positive momentum as they head home to face Southern on Tuesday. The Huskies’ early season has been a mix of strong offensive showings, including a 94-point outing against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and a tight loss to Baylor.

Washington State, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a challenging start to the season that includes a narrow loss to Idaho and a defeat at Davidson. Their quest for consistency continues when they host Southern Utah on Wednesday.

Despite being played at a neutral venue in Nebraska, the game carried the intensity of a Pacific Northwest rivalry, with both teams battling through multiple lead changes and momentum swings before the Huskies ultimately pulled away to seal the 12-point win.