Josh Hawkinson and freshman Malachi Flynn each scored 18 points to help Washington State beat Division II Central Washington, 81-76, Tuesday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.

Washington State was behind 42-36 at halftime but Ike Iroegbu scored 14 of his 15 points in the second half to help hold off the Wildcats. The Cougars took a 55-53 lead with just under 12 minutes left on Iroegbu's basket and they never trailed again.

Hawkinson grabbed 12 rebounds for his 42nd career double-double but the Cougars (2-0) were outrebounded 42-35. Flynn, playing in his second game at point guard, turned it over just once in 32 minutes.

Washington State made 27 of 54 shots (50 percent) but hit just 4 of 14 from 3-point range.

Dom Hunter made four 3-pointers and scored 26 points for Central Washington. He was 9 of 24 from the floor. Naim Ladd and Fuquan Niles added 12 points apiece, and Niles grabbed 16 rebounds for his first double-double with the Wildcats.

"In the first half we were getting some transition baskets," Central Washington coach Greg Sparling said. "They went smaller in the second half and started switching everything, which is fine. We just didn't make shots. We tried to adjust to it, but by the time we adjusted it was too late."

INJURY UPDATE: Iroegbu took a hard spill early in the second half on a drive to the basket. "I'm hurting right now, I'll get some ice on it," Iroegbu said in a radio interview. "After I fell, I went back into the locker room and gathered myself. You could say that foul really woke me up."

UP NEXT: Washington State plays in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on Friday against No. 22 Creighton.

Ernie Kent talks to the media after Tuesday night's hard-fought victory over Central Washington in Kennewick, WA

Washington State players meet the media after Tuesday night's win over CWU in Kennewick, WA.

Aaron Goldsmith and Eldridge Recasner recap Washington State's 81-76 win over Central Washington on Tuesday night. Ike Iroegbu had 15 points for the Cougars.