WSU played without leading scorer and rebounder Josh Hawkinson, who sat out with a groin injury. The Cougars led from the opening minutes and built a 37-25 lead by halftime. Dieter Horton spent four years as an assistant coach at USC, a Pac-12 Conference rival of Washington State, before taking the head coaching job with the Golden Eagles last season. Coach Ernie Kent said the Gonzaga Bulldogs plan to indefinitely end their long-running series with the Cougars after next Wednesday's game in Pullman.