Washington State Tops Loyola Marymount in Close Contest
Friday, January 2, 2026, 9:30 PM ET · Beasley Coliseum
Washington State Cougars 78, Loyola Marymount Lions 76, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Loyola Marymount Lions vs Washington State Cougars?
Washington State Cougars beat Loyola Marymount Lions 78-76 at Beasley Coliseum on January 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Loyola Marymount Lions vs Washington State Cougars?
Washington State Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -166 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Washington State Cougars narrowly defeated the Loyola Marymount Lions with a final score of 78-76 at Beasley Coliseum. This victory marks Washington State's third consecutive win against Loyola Marymount, having previously defeated them twice in the 2025 season, including a 94-77 victory on March 9 and a 73-59 win on December 31.
The Cougars entered this game with a home record of 7-9, while the Lions boasted a stronger away record of 10-6. Washington State's recent form showed a mixed bag, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, culminating in a one-game losing streak. They averaged 71.4 points scored and allowed 74.2 points during this stretch. In their last five games, they managed to score an average of 69.0 points while allowing 68.0. Their most recent game ended in a loss against the Seattle U Redhawks, where they fell 55-69.
On the other hand, Loyola Marymount had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games, currently riding a one-game winning streak after defeating the Pacific Tigers 80-71. They averaged 73.5 points scored and 69.9 points allowed during this period, with their last five games yielding an average of 76.8 points scored and 65.8 points allowed. Their previous game against Saint Mary's Gaels resulted in a close 73-78 loss.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads in the second half. Key moments included Ace Glass making a crucial driving layup to put Washington State ahead 77-76 and subsequently converting a free throw to extend the lead to 78-76. The final minutes showcased the intensity of the matchup, with both teams making significant plays to try and secure the win.
In terms of betting, DraftKings had Washington State favored by a spread of -3.5, with a total set at 142.5. The odds for Washington State to win outright were -166.0, while Loyola Marymount's moneyline was priced at 140.0.
The game conditions at Beasley Coliseum were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths. Washington State's home advantage played a role, as they aimed to improve their record on their home court.
Overall, the matchup was a showcase of resilience and skill from both teams, with Washington State managing to secure the win in a closely fought battle.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WSU -3.5 | 142.5 o -115 / u -105 | Loyola Marymount Lions +140 · Washington State Cougars -166 |
Leaders
- PointsRihards Vavers17Washington State Cougars
- AssistsAce Glass5Washington State Cougars
- ReboundsND Okafor9Washington State Cougars
- PointsJan Vide28Loyola Marymount Lions
- AssistsJalen Shelley4Loyola Marymount Lions
- ReboundsJalen Shelley9Loyola Marymount Lions
Recent form
Washington State Cougars
Last 10: 4-6Streak L171.4 scored · 74.2 allowed per game1-2 at home
- L55-69at Seattle U RedhawksDec 31
- W67-62at Portland PilotsDec 28
- W84-78vs Mercer BearsDec 20
- W78-63at Eastern Washington EaglesDec 18
- L61-68at USC TrojansDec 15
- L64-78vs Nevada Wolf PackDec 7
- L60-64at Bradley BravesDec 3
- L61-75vs Seton Hall PiratesNov 26
- L94-100at Arizona State Sun DevilsNov 26
- W90-85at Chaminade SilverswordsNov 25
Loyola Marymount Lions
Last 10: 5-5Streak W173.5 scored · 69.9 allowed per game2-0 away
- W80-71vs Pacific TigersDec 31
- L73-78vs Saint Mary's GaelsDec 29
- W83-56vs Morgan State BearsDec 23
- W91-57vs North Alabama LionsDec 20
- L57-67vs UC San Diego TritonsDec 17
- L70-91vs Saint Louis BillikensDec 3
- L68-71vs Stony Brook SeawolvesNov 29
- W70-58at Ohio BobcatsNov 25
- L65-76vs Florida Atlantic OwlsNov 25
- W78-74at UC Santa Barbara GauchosNov 18
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Loyola Marymount Lions | Washington State Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-61 | 28-55 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 51 |
| Three-pointers | 8-22 | 10-23 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 43 |
| Free throws | 14-20 | 12-13 |
| Free throw % | 70 | 92 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 30 |
| Assists | 10 | 13 |
| Steals | 7 | 1 |
| Blocks | 1 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 4 |
| Fast-break points | 14 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 22 |
| Fouls | 14 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 9 | 9 |
| Time in front | 49 | 49 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half42-46Jan Vide makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-48Ace Glass makes 18-foot jumper
- 2nd Half44-48Jan Vide makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-51Ace Glass makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half44-54Rihards Vavers makes 24-foot three point jumper (ND Okafor assists)
- 2nd Half46-54Jan Vide makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-54Jan Vide makes layup
- 2nd Half48-55Rihards Vavers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-56Rihards Vavers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-56Jalen Shelley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-56Jalen Shelley makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-57Jerone Morton makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-58Jerone Morton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-60ND Okafor makes layup (Ace Glass assists)
- 2nd Half53-60Jan Vide makes layup
- 2nd Half53-62ND Okafor makes 8-foot hook shot (Jerone Morton assists)
- 2nd Half55-62Jan Vide makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half55-64Ace Glass makes 18-foot jumper
- 2nd Half57-64Aaron McBride makes layup
- 2nd Half58-64Jan Vide makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-64Jan Vide makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-66Eemeli Yalaho makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-66Jan Vide makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half62-66Jan Vide makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half64-66Rodney Brown Jr. makes layup (Jalen Shelley assists)
- 2nd Half64-68Eemeli Yalaho makes 13-foot jumper (Emmanuel Ugbo assists)
- 2nd Half66-68Rodney Brown Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-70Emmanuel Ugbo makes layup (Eemeli Yalaho assists)
- 2nd Half68-70Jalen Shelley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half69-70Jalen Shelley makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-70Rodney Brown Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-70Rodney Brown Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-72Ace Glass makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half71-73Eemeli Yalaho makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-73Rodney Brown Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jalen Shelley assists)
- 2nd Half74-75ND Okafor makes layup (Ace Glass assists)
- 2nd Half75-75Jan Vide makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-75Jan Vide makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-78Ace Glass makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half76-77Ace Glass makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Washington State Cougars, below favours Loyola Marymount Lions.
Venue
- Beasley ColiseumPullman, WA
- Attendance2580
- OfficialsToby Doolittle, Mark Fulton, Alexander Thompson
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