Playing a tough defensive battle to the end, Fresno State lost on the road to Washington State University 59-50 Sunday afternoon.

Trading scores, the ’Dogs played the Cougars tough and built a three-point lead with roughly 12 minutes left in the second half. However, Fresno State (5-4, 0-0 MWC) was unable to hold this lead as Washington State (6-4, 0-0 Pac-12) scored 21 of the game’s final 30 points.

’Dogs’ standout freshman Robert Upshaw started his first game of the early season and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Sixth-man specialist, forward Jerry Brown came off the bench and again provided energy for the Bulldogs as he contributed a team-high 12 points. Guard Allen Huddleston added 10 points and two assists for his seventh game scoring in double figures.

Washington State rode the shoulders of forward Brock Motum, who scored 23 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Former Bulldog Mike Ladd added 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. He also hit a critical 3-pointer that put the Cougars ahead of Fresno State for good with six minutes left to play.

As a team, the ’Dogs shot poorly. They went 2-of-20 on attempts from 3-point range and finished the game with 30 percent shooting from the field. Fresno State was able to keep the game close as it totaled 37 rebounds, and nine of those were offensive, which led to the Bulldogs scoring 11 second-chance points.

Fresno State returns to action this Wednesday to face No. 23 Colorado (7-2, 0-0 Pac-12) at the Save Mart Center. The game tips off at 7 p.m. as the Bulldogs will seek to get back on a winning track. The Dogs also play seven of the next 11 games at home over the winter break.