NCAA Basketball Review

Cougars register a win of 71-40 against Winthrop

March 21st, 2008 Posted in basketball, coaches, ncaa basketball

Tony Bennett, the Washington state coach believes in the saying that there is nothing less important than the score at the half time. The saying came true in the match between the Cougars and Winthrop in the NCAA tournament. Cougars were fourth seeded and were having a 29-29 tie during the halftime of the play, succeeded in winning the match for 71-40. Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill made 14 points and Derrick Low made another 11 points for Washington State. In the second round, Washington State will meet the Notre Dame-George Mason match winner at the Pepsi Center.

The win against Winthrop was the second victory for Cougars in the opening round of NCAA tournament. Bennet informed the players during the halftime that they are either over confident or are scared of the opponents and asked them to figure out the reason and play according to the situation. The Cougars played a better game after the halftime and made 65 percent of the points in the latter half of the game. Frustration developed in the Winthrop team as they were unable to score for some time in the second half and the distress was spread to all the players. The Winthrop players feel that Cougars played really great in the second half.