PULLMAN, Wash. -- Josh Hawkinson scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Washington State to an 80-70 victory over Northern Arizona on Friday night.
The nonconference game at Beasley Coliseum was the season opener for both teams.
Junior guard Kris Yanku scored 15 points to lead NA:U and made 9 of 10 free throws to break Kyle Landry's school record of 358 career free throws made.
"I'm very proud of our guys and the way they battled," said NAU head coach Jack Murphy. "I thought Jaleni (Neely) played very well, and Torry (Johnson) was probably our best player for the second straight game (including last week's exhibition)."
Johnson, a redshirt freshman, finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. NAU used a 12-man rotation in its season opener, with seven true freshmen seeing playing time. Isaiah Thomas made his first collegiate start.
"We improved tonight," Murphy said. "We took better control of the ball in the second half. At this time of the year you want to see progress, and we've seen that. We're excited to see how the rotation goes from here as we try to solidify things down the road."
Neely (13), Martin (12), and Mike Green (11) joined Yanku and Johnson in scoring in double figures for the Lumberjacks.
Washington State led 24-6 after seven minutes and 47-34 at the half.
Washington State shot 45.6 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent on 3-pointers. Northern Arizona shot 37.3 percent from the floor and 25 percent on 3's.
TIP-INS
Northern Arizona: The Lumberjacks have one of the youngest teams in NCAA Division I. Eleven of the 15 players are freshmen
Washington State: Veteran coach Ernie Kent, starting his second season with the Cougars, brought in four junior college transfers to try to speed up the rebuilding process. After finishing 13-18 last season, the Cougars were picked last in the preseason media poll of the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 doesn't have a coaches poll.
UP NEXT
Northern Arizona visits Boise State on Monday.
Washington State hosts Idaho State next Friday.
