Washington State guard Klay Thompson, right, drives around Olkahoma State guark Markel Brown in the first half of an NIC Tournament basketball game tonight at Jack Friel Court in Pullman. WSU stopped Oklahoma State 74-64 to earn the right to host a quarterfinal game in the National Invitational Tournament against Northwestern at 8 p.m. Wednesday. ESPN boxscore here. And: WSU athletic department photo gallery here. (AP Photo/Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Geoff Crimmins)

The Washington State Cougars took another step toward New York on Monday night, and they didn’t have to leave Beasley Coliseum. And they won’t have to. The Cougars’ 74-64 National Invitation Tournament victory over Oklahoma State came in front of more than 5,000 and left WSU (21-12) just one win away from the semifinals at Madison Square Garden. They face their final hurdle Wednesday night when Northwestern comes to Pullman for a quarterfinal contest. The Cougars moved on thanks to the 21 points of Klay Thompson, another 17 from Brock Motum and timely contributions from just about everyone else/Vince Grippi, SR. More here.

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