The Baynes and Low Show, down under

THE WSU MEN'S BASKETBALL squad, on a summer exhibition tour across the Pacific, sits at 1-1 after dropping a heartbreaker to Australia's national team. It was the Low and Baynes Show in Thursday's nail biter. As the Cougs entered the final period down by 11, Wazzu put together a furious rally to close to within a point. Alas, some apparent home cooking ended the Cougars' hopes.

Leading 42-36 at halftime, WSU went cold from the field and was outscored 33-13 in the third period. WSU was down 69-58 entering the fourth quarter but promptly went microwave, outscoring the Australian team 26-16 and had a chance to win in the closing seconds.

WSU Sports Information said the hoops coaches reported the Cougs were down by one point with five seconds and the ball when Taylor Rochestie was called for a questionable charging foul at mid-court. That was the ballgame, as the Aussie national team edged WSU 85-84.

Derrick Low was a machine, leading WSU with 30 points and three rebounds, and hitting 10 of his 18 shots. Aron Baynes added 22 points for the Cougars and owned the glass, grabbing a monstrous 17 rebounds with his mother and father watching from the stands. Baynes also connected on nine of 16 shots, while Daven Harmeling added 10 more for the Cougs.

The Cougars’ 15-day, six-game trek continues tomorrow in Sydney.

In the first game against New Zealand Breakers Academy in Auckland, New Zealand, WSU cruised to an 80-55 win.

Low led the Cougs with 20 points, while center Robbie Cowgill added 11 points and 12 boards. Thomas Abercrombie, from Afton, New Zealand, scored seven points in the win.

REMAINING SCHEDULE:
JUNE 8 - GAME 3 vs. Waratah All-Stars at Newington College in Sydney, Australia, 7 p.m.
JUNE 10 - GAME 4 vs. Sydney Kings at Hills Basketball Stadium in Sydney, Australia, 4 p.m.
JUNE 12 - GAME 5 vs. Southern Districts Spartans at Rowland Cowan Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 8 p.m.
JUNE 13 - GAME 6 vs. Cairns Marlins at Cairns Basketball Stadium in Cairns, Australia, 7:30 p.m.