PULLMAN — Sophomore Andrej Jakimovski came off the bench to make four three-pointers on his way to a season-high 16 points and the Washington State men’s basketball team turned back California 65-57 in Pac-12 play Saturday.
Jakimovski made 6 of 11 shots — 4 of 7 from beyond the arc — while teammates made a mere 2 of 15 tries from long range. Jakimovski also grabbed seven rebounds for the Cougars (10-7 overall, 3-3 Pac-12) in a game that had 11 lead changes. Michael Flowers added 13 points and five boards.
The Golden Bears (9-9, 2-5), whose largest lead of the day was two points, led 29-27 at halftime. TJ Bamba sank a three-pointer to open the second half for WSU and neither team took a two-possession lead until Noah Williams’ rebound bucket put the Cougars up 51-47 with 7:06 remaining in the game.
Jordan Shepherd made a jumper to cut WSU’s lead to two, but Mouhamed Gueye, a 50% free-throw shooter, made a pair and Jakimovski connected on a three to extend the Cougars’ lead to 56-49 with 5:02 left.
Cal answered with an Andre Kelly layup and a three-pointer by Jalen Celestine to close to 56-54 with 3:55 to go. Flowers missed the front end of a one-and-one for WSU, but Jakimovski grabbed the rebound and fed Flowers for his only three-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.