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Gonzaga faces intrastate rival Washington State

Dec 5, 2006 - 4:17 PM No. 18 Gonzaga (8-1) at Washington St (7-1) 10:00 pm EST

PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) - Before Gonzaga becomes concerned with its West Coast Conference schedule this season, the 18th-ranked Bulldogs have to contend with their neighbors.

Gonzaga plays the first of two straight contests against intrastate rivals this week when it goes for its eighth consecutive victory over Washington State on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs, who also battle Washington on Saturday, have won their last three games after their lone defeat to Butler at the NIT Season Tip-Off championship at Madison Square Garden.

Derek Raivio made seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points, Jeremy Pargo added 18 points and Josh Heytvelt 13 with 12 rebounds for Gonzaga in Saturday's 87-77 victory over Texas.

Washington State opened with three triumphs at the John Thompson Classic and won its next four contests before Saturday's 69-55 loss to Utah.

Robbie Cowgill scored 16 points and Derrick Low added 15 for the Cougars, who shot only 32 percent in the first half and lost for the 10th consecutive time at Utah dating to 1946.

Washington State is 73-3 here against non-conference opponents in the past 16 seasons. However, two of the losses have been against Gonzaga. The Bulldogs posted a 67-53 home victory over the Cougars last season.