WSU
Andrej Jakimovski sparks WSU Cougars to 65-57 victory over Cal
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) – Sophomore Andrej Jakimovski came off the bench to hit four 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 16 points and WSU turned back California 65-57 in Pac-12 Conference play on Saturday.
WSU 65, Cal 57: Box Score
Jakimovski sank 6 of 11 shots – 4 of 7 from beyond the arc – while his teammates made just 2 of 15 tries. Jakimovski also grabbed seven rebounds for the WSU Cougars (10-7, 3-3) in a game that saw 11 lead changes.
Big time triple by @andrejjaki23 – his 4th of the day and a season high 16 points
📺| Pac-12 Network
📱| https://t.co/dwkeZ85nYY#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/iPnPfn4d4l— WSU Men's Basketball (@WSUCougarMBB) January 15, 2022
Michael Flowers added 13 points and five boards.
The Golden Bears (9-9, 2-5), whose largest lead all game was two points, led 29-27 at halftime. TJ Bamba sank a 3-pointer to open the second half for WSU and neither team took a two-possession lead until Noah Williams’ rebound bucket put the WSU Cougars up 51-47 with 7:06 remaining in the game. Jordan Shepherd hit a jumper to pull Cal within two, but Mouhamed Gueye, a 50% free-throw shooter, made a pair and Jakimovski buried a 3 to extend the Cougars’ lead to 56-49 with 5:02 left to play.
Cal answered with an Andre Kelly layup and a 3-pointer by Jalen Celestine to close to within 56-54 with 3:55 to go. Michael Flowers missed the front end of a 1-and-1 for WSU, but Jakimovski grabbed the rebound and fed Flowers for his only 3-pointer of the game – in six tries – and the Golden Bears never got closer than five from there.
Shepherd tallied 17 points to pace Cal. Kelly totaled 12 points and 14 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season before fouling out.
WSU travels to play Oregon on Thursday. California, which has lost four straight, will entertain No. 6 Arizona on Jan. 23.