Washington
Road Report: Bears fall to Washington State in non-conference matchup – Springfield Daily Citizen
Missouri State’s final road game of the non-conference schedule saw a bad finish to the first half snowball into a lopsided defeat on Saturday.
Washington State turned a close game into a 91-78 victory at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington. The Cougars (9-2) shot 62.7 percent overall and 76 percent in the second half to send the Bears (5-5) back to Springfield with their second straight defeat.
The taller Cougars placed five players in double figures, led by Dane Erikstrup and Isaiah Watts with 20 points apiece. The duo combined to make 12-of-17 field-goal attempts. Dez White scored 16 for the Bears but battled foul trouble. A dozen of his points came in the final seven minutes, with the game decided.
Turning point before the half
The game took a turn just before halftime. Washington State used a 9-2 run over the final three minutes to lead 34-27 going to the break. The Cougars scored four points in the final two seconds to take momentum to the locker room. After a driving bucket by Erikstrup, the Bears were careless with the in-bounds pass, and Nate Calmese fired in an off-balance 18-footer.
That final play was symbolic of the first half as the Cougars scored 14 points off nine Missouri State turnovers.
Bears cannot defend hot Cougars
After making only 2-of-11 3-point attempts in the first half, the Bears had four in the first four minutes of the second half. But they still couldn’t keep up as Washington State matched those four and made eight of its first 10 shots from the field to roll to a 14-point lead.
Missouri State was unable to recover, trailing by as much as 19.
Jalen Hampton had a double-double for the Bears with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
What Cuonzo Martin had to say
Afterward on the Missouri State radio network, coach Cuonzo Martin said the Bears have to continue to take more pride on the defensive end.
“You have to take individual pride. You can’t let teams come down and get in a flow, a rhythm and confidence,” Martin said. “Really just the one-on-one defense. If he’s a shooter, take away his shot. Easier said than done, but you have to apply it.
“We can’t afford to trade baskets. Our margin for error is slim, especially with a team like (Washington State). It takes time and it’s not easy. We’ll continue to rep it out in practice and we’ll continue to get better at it.”
Two coming up at home
The Bears return to Great Southern Bank Arena for two games prior to Christmas, the first at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 against Division II Lincoln University. Missouri State plays host to UC-Santa Barbara at 1 p.m. Dec. 22.
Washington
The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas
Steve Deitz walks with the energy of a coach; however, he does not hide that he and his team are digital nerds and storytellers who specialize in large-scale visual content and software development. More specifically, the 48-year-old makes a living creating the wow factor at his agency, “900lbs.”
“We started the company working for the Dallas Mavericks, telling large-scale visual content on the Jumbotron, and next thing you know, Activision, Blizzard calls,” he said. “We get to work in the Perot Museum on the biggest exhibit in the museum, and then fast-forward another 12 years, and here we are now.”
His current project is wrapping up in the nation’s capital — sorta. Since Dec.31, projections of America’s story have been given to his agency.
“We’re telling the story of the 250-year birthday of America in the biggest way possible on the facade of the Washington Monument on all four sides,” Deitz said.
He said they started testing out the results a couple of nights before New Year’s Eve. Scenes from Thomas Edison’s light bulb, the Empire State Building, the Model T Ford, and the Industrial Revolution, to name a few, are projected onto the Washington Monument.
Deitz gives his team a ton of credit from the moment he received the call about the project. He also thinks back to the times when he was an athlete who loved to draw in Merkel, Texas. The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box. The CEO is giving advice to that child who may need a little inspiration.
“Hard work, perseverance, dedication, surround yourself with a team of brilliant people that are way smarter than you, and do the best you possibly can,” he said.
Deitz said there is a likelihood his team’s creations will return to the nation’s capital this year.
Washington
Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide
It is not the way any homicide squad wants to start an already busy new year.
Prince George’s County police Sunday were trying to figure out who was found dead in a car behind a strip center overnight and why. Police, who responded after a call about gun shots, told News4 they’re still searching for the most basic details.
It comes just a day after three people were shot and killed at a Temple Hills banquet hall early Saturday morning. Police told News4 that investigation is active and showing signs of promise.
But the busy start somewhat hides the bigger picture about crime in the area.
Despite the tough start to 2026, homicide in Prince George’s County was down 40% in 2025 percent compared to 2024, and violent crime on a whole was down 19%, both through mid-December according to Prince George’s County police.
In D.C. is a similar story.
“Now we have no crime in Washington, DC. We have no killing,” said President Donald Trump Saturday during a news conference about action in Venezuela.
While the crime rate is not nearly as good as Trump has repeatedly said, the District recorded five homicides in December and 126 in all of 2025. That’s down 32% over 2024. Violent crime is down 29%, according to D.C .police crime statistics.
In Fairfax, homicide is down 14% — but the county only had 12 total — and violent crime dropped 4%, according to the county’s online reporting.
Washington
Commanders vs. Eagles | How to watch, listen and live stream
Mariota, who is dealing with a cut on his throwing hand and a quad injury, was considered doubtful to play in Week 18, Quinn said earlier in the week, and has not practiced since sustaining his injuries. Josh Johnson is set to make his second start to close out the Commanders’ season.
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