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Cougars Can’t Run With USC

By Ben Renner

Jan 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) and Southern California Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) battle for the ball during the second half at Galen Center. The Trojans won 81-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars forward Josh Hawkinson (24) and Southern California Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) battle for the ball during the second half at Galen Center. The Trojans won 81-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cougars remained in the basement of the Pac-12 with their sixth consecutive loss 81-71 at the Galen Center.

For years, USC’s Galen Center has been notable only for one thing: the lack of fans in the stands. This year, however, the Trojans look rejuvenated. Coach Andy Enfield, after struggling to recruit and beat back the perception that USC is a football school for two years (it still is, but less so this basketball season), has brought “Dunk City” to Los Angeles. Enfield is famous for his “Dunk City” regime at Florida Gulf Coast. This season, USC leads the Pac-12 in dunks with 82 and 3-pointers made with 176.

The Cougars were the latest victim of “Dunk City” last night. The Trojans led the Cougars 52-41 at halftime. WSU rallied to go on a 10-0 run to close the gap to 70-64 with 5:31 to go in the game but never got closer than that. “We gave up some dunks and mentally lost our focus,” Cougars coach Ernie Kent told the AP after the game.

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Ike Iroegbu scored 21 points, Que Johnson added 16, and Josh Hawkinson posted his 15th double-double in 19 games for WSU, putting up 16 points and pulling down 11 boards. Still, the Cougars were never in this game. They fell to 0-10 when trailing at halftime and appear to miss center Valentine Izundu, who went down with a foot injury six games ago. Izundu’s injury coincides with WSU’s losing streak. Indeed, the statistics are stark: the Cougars have allowed an average of 86.8 points per game without him and 70.9 with Izundu in the lineup.

The Cougars are now 9-11 overall with a miserable 1-7 Pac-12 record. They have to find a way to keep opponents away from the rim without Izundu and at least pick up a few wins to gain some confidence heading into the final month of the season. If WSU wants to make noise in the Pac-12 tournament, they need to start winning now.

Next: Cougars Hire JaMarcus Shephard as New Receivers Coach

The Cougars continue their tour of Los Angeles with a matchup against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion tomorrow.

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