PULLMAN — Washington State slogged through a long stretch of poor offense against San Diego on Thursday night, trying to find any way to snap a dry spell. The Cougars couldn’t stop turning it over, and even as their defense stepped up, they needed baskets to avoid a costly loss.

Riley was referencing the second half of his WSU club’s 65-61 road win over San Diego on Thursday night, which helped the Cougars end a two-game skid. That sets the stage for the Cougs’ next game, a home matchup with struggling Portland at 3 p.m. Saturday, and the improvements Riley and WSU will look to make.

Washington State Cougars (14-5, 4-2 WCC ) vs. Portland Pilots (6-13, 1-5 WCC) Date: Saturday, January 18 Time: 3 PM PT // 6 PM ET Location: Beasley Coliseum - P

Because of the way four key injuries have shuffled personnel, the Cougar men are trying to make their offense work with a player whose best attributes are on defense.

BOTTOM LINE: Washington State visits San Diego after Nate Calmese scored 20 points in Washington State’s 88-75 loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Toreros are 4-8 on their home court. San Diego ...

Examine Washington State's road loss to Gonzaga on Saturday, especially early in the second half, and you'll find a window into some of the Cougars' recent struggles. You'll also find how they're solving them WSU faced a double-digit deficit at that point,

San Francisco visits the Pacific Tigers after Angeliki Ziaka scored 20 points in the Dons' 74-58 loss to the Washington State Cougars.

Nate Calmese matched his season high with 27 points, scoring 22 in the second half, to help Washington State hold off San Diego 65-61.

Trouet 7-17 1-3 17, Jamerson 2-5 1-2 5, Webb 2-3 0-2 4, Clouet 0-1 0-0 0, Duckett 6-12 2-3 14, Chammaa 3-14 4-4 13, Bradley 2-7 3-4 8, Dahlke 0-0 0-0 0, Pierre 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-61 11-18 61.

Turnovers: 17 (Calmese 6, Erikstrup 4, L.Watts 2, Price 2, Gerrits, Okafor, Wynott). Steals: 4 (Calmese 2, Gerrits, L.Watts).

Rogers, Washington State’s new head football coach, has hired over a dozen assistant coaches and staff members from South Dakota State and added others with connections to his colleagues or the Pacific Northwest in the three weeks since athletic director Anne McCoy officially hired him.

Washington State takes on the San Diego Toreros after Nate Calmese scored 20 points in the Cougars' 88-75 loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Thursday's matchup is the first of the