LOS ANGELES — For the second night in a row, the Washington basketball team had to play like there was no tomorrow. But unlike its first game at the Staples Center, the Huskies (19-13 overall, 8-10 Pac-10) could not pull out a victory in a close game.

Washington State (25-6 overall, 13-5 Pac-10) was able to put the Huskies away with free throws and one big shot from Taylor Rochestie and get the win, 74-64.

Washington was able to pull even with the Cougars 56-56, with just under seven minutes remaining, but would never again lead or tie after that point.

"It was our inability to get stops for a period," said coach Lorenzo Romar. "Rochestie had a big game and made some big shots."

None were bigger than his runner in the lane that put WSU up five with three minutes remaining. It was that kind of poise that provided Washington State with the win.

"Washington State played a solid game," Romar said. "They just played their pace. They played like a veteran team and never got rattled tonight."

When the Huskies needed stops in the most critical moments, Washington State would not cave. The Cougars hit their shots, going 24-46 (52.2 percent) from the field. They also made 23 of 29 free throws.

"It's hard to get them to turn it over," Romar said. "They only turned it over eight times. Which means that they got a lot of good looks at the basket. Seventy-four points on 46 shots, that's pretty good."

Rochestie led WSU with 20 points, including nine in the final three minutes of the game. His production was able to offset an under-the-radar night by Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver. The duo combined for 28 points, but neither was a consistent force throughout the game. Weaver missed much of the first half with foul trouble and Low scored just three points in the second half.

"They really — especially in the second half — got a lot of lay-ins," said freshman Spencer Hawes. "On defense, whatever we were doing the past few games, we weren't doing tonight. And offensively we just weren't able to get into any sort of rhythm."

Jon Brockman was able to put up 13 points and eight rebounds, but Hawes never got it going.

The freshman center scored just six points in 22 minutes of play. He was limited to nine minutes in the first half due to foul trouble and never found his shot, going 3 of 5 on the night.

While Hawes was not able to contribute, two unlikely Huskies were able to pick up the offensive slack.

Quincy Pondexter led the team with 15 points and added six rebounds in one of his better offensive efforts. And Artem Wallace filled in for Hawes admirably, scoring 10 points.

"Artem had a very good game," Romar said. "We were able to get it to him down low, and he did well with the minutes we gave him."

With the loss, Washington is now out of the Pac-10 tournament. While it's hopes of an NCAA Tournament may be dashed, the season is still not over.

"It's weird to say this, but we have to look forward to the NIT," Hawes said. "It's not over. We still have games to go."

Reach reporter Justin Chartrey at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.