SEATTLE — Two years ago when Robbie Cowgill and Washington State came to play a non-conference game in Seattle for the first time, only 5,000 fans showed up.

Last night, more than 12,000 loud and raucous fans came out to see the seventh-ranked Cougars, who easily routed The Citadel, 67-45, improving to 10-0 for the first time in 16 years.

"It's definitely a little different," Cowgill said. "Part of this rebuilding process is getting people back to believing in Cougar basketball."

Consider The Citadel among the believers.

Aron Baynes scored 16 points and Daven Harmeling added 11 off the bench for Washington State. But it was at the defensive end where the Cougars were again impressive, and the Bulldogs became another exhibit.

The Bulldogs (4-6) were undersized and overmatched from the start, starting a lineup entirely of freshman, and were unable to establish any offensive consistency. Washington State held The Citadel scoreless for the first 6:15 of the game and the final 6:58 of the first half. The Bulldogs were fortunate to be within 15 at halftime only because of hitting four 3-pointers in the first half.

To see the support means a lot," Cougars coach Tony Bennett said. "I told the guys in the locker room 'You've established something.' "

'Iolani alum Derrick Low had six points two assists and two rebounds for Washington State.

NO. 11 PITTSBURGH 65, NO. 6 DUKE 64: Levance Fields scored 21 points, including a 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Panthers (11-0) over the Blue Demons (10-1) in New York. Duke's Jon Scheyer took a running 3 and was able to grab the rebound and get off a final shot but missed.

WAC MEN

New Orleans 81, Louisiana Tech 72: Bo McCaleb scored 24 points and the Privateers (9-2) made their 46-35 halftime lead stand up to beat the Bulldogs (2-0) in the Gulf Coast Classic at Biloxi, Miss.

Fresno State 65, Presbyterian 39: Eddie Miller scored 17 points and Kevin Bell added 13 points and seven assists as the Bulldogs (6-5) routed the Blue Hose (1-13) at Fresno, Calif.

Utah State 87, Utah Valley State 65: Jaycee Carroll scored 32 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead the Aggies (8-5) over the Wolverines (4-8) in the first round of the Gossner Foods Holiday Classic at Logan, Utah.

DIVISION II MEN

BYU-HAWAI'I: Seasiders Paul Peterson and Lucas Alves were named to the Hoop 'N Surf All-Tournament team yesterday. Peterson averaged 28.5 points in BYUH's victories over Tampa and Florida Southern. Alves averaged 31 points and 13 rebounds.

RANKED WOMEN

NO. 3 NORTH CAROLINA 93, WESTERN KENTUCKY 60: Rashanda McCants had 19 points, rebounding from a bloody elbow to the nose in Monday night's 82-58 win at Coastal Carolina to lead the Tar Heels (12-1) over the Lady Toppers (6-5) at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

No. 4 Maryland 71, James Madison 65: Laura Harper scored 24 points and the Terrapins (14-1) rallied from a 10-point, second-half deficit to beat the Dukes (6-3) at Harrinsonburg, Va., ending the longest Division I home winning streak at 30 games.

No. 9 Oklahoma 121, Central Arkansas 48: Courtney Paris recorded her 71st consecutive double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds and the Lady Sooners (8-2) tied their single-game scoring mark with a rout of the Sugar Bears (2-8) at Norman, Okla.

George Washington 66, No. 10 Texas A&M 65: Sarah-Jo Lawrence scored a career-high 29 points, including a 3-pointer to tie it at 60-all at the end of regulation, and the Colonials made 4 of 6 free throws in overtime to beat the Aggies (9-2) in Washington.

DIVISION II WOMEN

SEATTLE 75, HAWAI'I PACIFIC 56: Quinn Brewe scored 15 points and Laina Sobczak and Chelsie Morrison each added 10, leading the Redhawks (8-0) over the Sea Warriors (0-7) yesterday at the Farrington High School gym.

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