Robert Franks, Drick Bernstine power Washington State Cougars past California Golden Bears

PULLMAN – When a team’s starting forwards have 44 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists it might be a good sign.

That was the case Saturday when Washington State’s Robert Franks scored 34 points and Drick Bernstine added 10 points, six rebounds and nine assists as the Cougars defeated California 78-53 at Beasley Coliseum.

Franks made a school-record 10 3-pointers in 13 attempts.

While the Cougars’ big men were having their way with the Golden Bears, WSU’s defense also stood out. California shot 32 percent from the field and scored just eight points in the final 10 minutes, including zero points in the final 3 minutes, 57 seconds.

It was WSU’s first Pac-12 win after an 0-4 start.

Franks sparked a 13-1 run for WSU over the course of four minutes in the second half, nailing a 3 to ignite the crowd and his teammates. The run opened up a 17-point lead for the Cougars and they never looked back.

Malachi Flynn added 14 points for WSU and Kwinton Hinson provided a spark with seven points, seven rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes of play.

The loss for California (7-11, 1-4) was its fourth straight, punctuating an abysmal performance in the second half. The Bears were able to keep it close for most of the game, but lost control after several droughts and a huge WSU run.

Justice Sueing scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for Cal after scoring a career high 27 against Washington on Thursday. Juhwan Harris-Dyson added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Don Coleman managed 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting. Coleman is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 18 points per game.