BLOG > Tim Lewis talks about the game

PULLMAN -- Aron Baynes scored 14 points as Washington State mauled Mississippi Valley State 76-25 in its season opener on Saturday.

KREM 2 Sports

Washington State's Aron Baynes throws down a monster dunk Saturday against Mississippi Valley State.

The game was never in question after the Cougars scored the first 28 points of the game.

Six freshmen played for Washington State (1-0), but the Cougars looked good despite graduating the heart of a team that put together consecutive 26-win seasons.

Klay Thompson led all newcomers with eight points. Ferris High School graduate DeAngelo Casto had five points and four rebounds in his debut.

Most of the Cougars starters didn't see the floor for more than 18 minutes. Thompson and Nikola Koprivica were the exceptions playing 21 minutes.

Mississippi Valley (0-1), which lost just 80-64 at No. 15 Arizona State on Friday, looked virtually helpless.

The 25 points they scored was one lower than in last year's 71-26 loss to Washington State, and is the lowest point total by a WSU opponent since 1948.

The 51 point margin of victory is the second-largest margin of victocry in school history. The largest was a 54 point win against Delaware State in 1988.

Those are not the only amazing stats from this basketball game. Washington State outrebounded the Delta Devils, 53-19. Freshman Marcus Capers led the team with nine boards.

The Cougs return to action Tuesday against Farleigh Dickinson. Tip-off is set for 7pm at Beasley Coliseum.