Hot Start, Quiet Finish: Wang Junjie Scores 15 in First Half as San Francisco Holds Off Washington State

On January 19, the University of San Francisco edged Washington State University 85-80 at home in an NCAA regular-season matchup. Chinese national team guard Wang Junjie delivered an explosive first half, knocking down all four of his three-point attempts and going 3-for-3 from the free-throw line to pour in 15 points. Surprisingly, his offensive opportunities disappeared after halftime, as he did not attempt a single shot in the second half. Fortunately for San Francisco, the team still managed to secure a hard-fought victory.

Wang’s role has fluctuated this season, with reduced minutes compared to last year and frequent shifts between the starting lineup and the bench. However, he showcased his full potential on January 11, when San Francisco defeated Pepperdine 80-60. In that game, Wang played 33 minutes as a starter, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 7-of-9 from beyond the arc, finishing with a career-high 27 points, five rebounds, one block, and zero turnovers—setting new personal NCAA records.

Entering this matchup, San Francisco held a 12-8 record through 20 games, ranking sixth in the West Coast Conference, while Washington State stood at 8-11 and tenth in the standings. San Francisco had won both of their previous encounters.

In the first half, San Francisco relied heavily on Wang’s red-hot shooting to stay ahead in a tightly contested battle, taking a 48-44 lead into the break. Wang was the standout performer, playing 13 minutes and scoring 15 points with perfect shooting from deep, while also recording a steal. He was the only player on either team to reach double figures before halftime.

The second half saw momentum swing back and forth. San Francisco briefly fell behind 68-75, then responded with an 8-0 run to regain control. After Washington State answered with five straight points, San Francisco closed the game with a decisive 9-0 surge to seal the 85-80 win.

Although Wang’s scoring stalled after the break, his first-half outburst proved crucial, underscoring his shooting ability and continued importance to the team’s success.