WSU men open with 138-63 win in exhibition against New Hope Christian

Slovenian freshman forward Aljaz Kunc scored 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting and Washington State cruised past New Hope Christian 138-63 in an exhibition game Sunday in Pullman.

Another freshman, Cj Elleby, had 10 rebounds along with 14 points with eight Cougars scoring in double figures.

Robert Franks scored the game’s first points on a 3-pointer in the first minute and Cougars took off from there, leading by 38 at halftime.

WSU outscored the visitors from Eugene in the paint 72-6 and turned 23 turnovers into 41 points. The Cougars shot 69 percent, including 63 percent from the arc.

WSU opens its season next Sunday at home against Nicholls at 4 p.m.