In a thrilling season opener, Washington State defeated Portland State 100-92, marking David Riley's debut as head coach. Cedric Coward led the Cougars with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Isaiah Watts contributed 20 points off the bench. Despite a rocky start where they trailed 21-4, WSU mounted a significant comeback, fueled by a 29-7 run to take the lead, showcasing a balanced offensive attack with six players scoring in double figures. The Cougars shot 52.6% from the field and 46.9% from three-point range, indicating a strong offensive performance. On the other hand, Portland State's Terri Miller Jr. led with 20 points, but the team struggled to maintain their early momentum. Coach Riley acknowledged the need for improvement on defense despite the offensive success as WSU prepares for their next game against Bradley.