Idaho Men's and Women's Basketball Upset Washington State After Decades

The Idaho Vandals secured notable upset victories over the Washington State Cougars in both men's and women's basketball season openers, marking a significant shift in the regional sports landscape. The men's team defeated WSU 83-81 in Pullman, achieving their first win against the Cougs in eight years, despite a late Washington State rally led by Emmanuel Ugbo; Kristian Gonzalez led Idaho with 18 points off the bench. Washington State's men's coach David Riley expressed frustration over defensive lapses and a slow start, although he noted improved energy in the final five minutes of the game. On the women's side, Kyra Gardner, who transferred from Washington State to Idaho, delivered a standout performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, six three-pointers, and five steals, helping Idaho to their first victory over WSU in 22 years with an 87-85 win. These results contribute to a challenging period for Washington State athletics following recent losses in football and women's basketball, underscoring the need for adjustment and improvement across programs. Both Idaho and Washington State teams are set to continue their seasons with upcoming games against Whitman College, Davidson, UC Davis, and UNLV respectively.