UCSB runs past Cougars

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – UC Santa Barbara opened a huge lead in the first half and went on to defeat Washington State 71-43 late Thursday night in the Great Alaska Shootout.

Washington State (1-3) was led by Brett Boese with 13 points. Josh Hawkinson had a team-high 13 rebounds.

Zalmico Harmon led the Gauchos (2-2) with 17 points and Alan Williams added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cougars opened the game making only two of their first 20 shots, including 0 for 8 on 3-pointers. UCSB led 34-12 at halftime.

In today’s games, Washington State plays Rice in a consolation game at 3 p.m. UCSB plays Mercer in a semifinal. Mercer defeated Rice 77-71 in overtime on Thursday.

Colorado State and Pacific meet in the other semifinal.

Mercer 77, Rice 71: Ike Nwamu scored 21 points and the Bears made their last eight free throws to stop the Owls.

Mercer (3-2) took a 71-66 lead when Nwamu recovered Seth Gearhart’s turnover with 26 seconds left in overtime and made the first two of the Bears’ final eight free throws.

Rice (1-3) trailed 51-40 midway through the second half, but rallied with a 17-4 run.

Jibri Bryan put the Bears ahead 59-57 on a four-point play with 3:26 left in regulation. The Owls answered with four straight points and Mercer tied it at 61 with 26 seconds left.

Bryan scored 18 points and T.J. Hallice had 12 for the Bears.