COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN -- We're not in Pittsburgh, but did take in WSU's 57-53 loss at My Office. We have our usual postgame review after the jump.

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PLAYER OF THE GAME -- It wasn't quite enough, but Reggie Moore did what he could to get WSU back into the game in the second half. Early in the game, he was settling for long jumpers as the Cougars were far too inactive without Brock Motum, doing too much dribbling and not moving enough without the ball. But after halftime, Moore became more aggressive, showing a knack for getting to the basket -- and to the free throw line -- that Cougar fans haven't seen for some time. He got inside the key at will and finished with 18 points, and was really the reason why WSU was even in the game late.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- After Pittsburgh had taken a two-point lead on a Lamar Patterson jumper, Moore came down, missed a shot and a battle for the rebound ensued. It was knocked out of bounds with one minute showing on the clock. The officials rewarded the ball to Pittsburgh. I didn't get a good look at a replay, but it looked as if the ball was last touched by the Panthers. They turned that possession into two free throws, and though Pitt tried to give it away at the end, that possession was what separated them from the Cougars.

KEY STAT -- The Cougars scored just 20 points in the first half. They only trailed by nine points at halftime, but that kind of offensive performance is particularly difficult to overcome on the road. And though Pitt finished with just eight offensive rebounds, they came up with a few crucial ones during WSU's late run that really wound up being killer.

QUOTABLE -- Wasn't there.

NEXT UP -- Same team, same time, same place on Friday (4 p.m., HDNet). Winner is CBI champion.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

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