Arizona State, Washington big men battle again

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Arizona State’s Jeff Pendergraph and Washington’s Jon Brockman (pictured above) banged bodies one last time Friday in the Pacific 10 Conference tournament semifinals.

It was the culmination of a four-year battle between the two.

‘It’s been like this every year for four years,’ said Pendergraph, a 6-foot-9, 240-pounder from Etiwanda High. ‘Every year, we both got better and bigger. We’ve pushed each other and battled for rebounds, the gritty, grimy stuff. You know, sewer rat basketball.’

Pendergraph was top rat Friday. He had 18 points and seven rebounds in the Sun Devils’ 75-65 victory. Brockman, who is 6-7 and 255, had 13 points and six rebounds.

-- Chris Foster