PULLMAN — Andrej Jakimovski led a rally midway through the second half that sent Washington State to a 72-59 win over Stanford for the Cougars’ seventh straight victory.
The Cougars’ 10th win in their last 11 games at least temporarily put WSU (20-6, 11-4 Pac-12) in a first-place tie with No. 5 Arizona, which played Arizona State Saturday night. The Cougars’ next game is at Arizona on Thursday.
Jakimovski hit a 3-pointer for the 15th and final lead change and began a 16-2 run that he finished with another 3-pointer and a layup for a 68-55 lead at the final media timeout.
Jakimovski finished with 13 points. Jaylen Wells and Isaac Jones scored 15 points each with Jones going over 1,000 in his career. Myles Rice, who set a WSU freshman record with 35 points in the Cougars’ 89-75 win over Stanford on Jan. 18, was held to four in the first half but rebounded to hit a couple 3-pointers and lead the Cougars with 10 second-half points. Oscar Cluff grabbed 12 rebounds.
Brandon Angel scored 15 points with Kanaan Carlyle and Michael Jones finishing with 12 each for the Cardinal (12-13, 7-8).
The Cougars had a 10-point lead midway through the first half, but Angel scored eight from there to lead the Cardinal to a 36-35 edge at the break. Neither team led by more than five in the second half until Jakimovski kicked off the pivotal run.
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WASHINGTON STATE 72, STANFORD 59
STANFORD (12-13) — Angel 6-9 2-2 15, S.Jones 1-4 0-1 3, Raynaud 4-8 0-0 8, Carlyle 5-13 1-1 12, M.Jones 3-8 4-4 12, Stojakovic 1-5 0-0 3, Gealer 1-3 0-0 2, Keefe 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 22-51 9-10 59.
WASHINGTON ST. (20-6) — Cluff 3-7 2-2 8, Jakimovski 5-11 0-0 13, I.Jones 6-9 3-4 15, Wells 4-8 4-4 15, Rice 4-12 4-4 14, Houinsou 3-5 0-2 7, Watts 0-0 0-0 0, Chinyelu 0-0 0-0 0, Mullins 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-53 13-16 72.
Halftime—Stanford 36-35. 3-Point Goals—Stanford 6-18 (M.Jones 2-4, Stojakovic 1-1, Angel 1-2, S.Jones 1-4, Carlyle 1-5, Raynaud 0-2), Washington St. 9-23 (Wells 3-5, Jakimovski 3-8, Rice 2-7, Houinsou 1-3). Rebounds—Stanford 20 (Raynaud 5), Washington St. 35 (Cluff 12). Assists—Stanford 11 (Carlyle 5), Washington St. 13 (Rice 5). Total Fouls—Stanford 14, Washington St. 15.
