Low’s return on schedule

PULLMAN – Washington State University point guard Derrick Low participated in some half-court drills during Tuesday’s practice, but he appears unlikely to play Thursday night against UCLA.

Low, who broke his right foot on Jan. 3, has remained on schedule for the originally expected six-week recovery to this point, a timetable that would have him ready for next week’s games at Oregon State and Oregon.

“Everything is physically good,” Low said. “It might not be as strong as I want it to be at this point, but I think everything will get back quickly.”

But if he is able to practice with his Cougars teammates today, there remains an outside chance he could see spot duty either Thursday or Saturday against USC. “He didn’t participate fully,” Cougars head coach Dick Bennett said after the practice session. “To me, that’s limited participation. Until he’s full participation, I wouldn’t consider using him.”

Low said he does hope to do more during today’s practice — possibly including full-court work.

“We’re supposed to, every day, just throw me in a little bit more,” Low said.

A sophomore, Low was WSU’s top scorer when he was injured.

WSU (10-9, 3-7 Pac-10) is 2-6 in his absence, with both wins coming against Washington.

Notes

Southern California guard Gabe Pruitt, who scored 20 points against WSU in Los Angeles last month, suffered a broken leg in a layup drill at the end of practice Monday and won’t be available for the rematch this weekend. Pruitt is expected to miss three weeks. … Washington State is still waiting for a final diagnosis on a Rodney Edgerson bone scan taken last week. The junior had his back troubles flare up again two weeks ago and has not played or practiced since.