Pacific 10 Roundup : Arizona Holds Off Oregon, Ties Washington for Lead

John Edgar had 18 points and 9 rebounds as Arizona moved into a tie with Washington for the Pacific 10 Conference lead by defeating Oregon, 65-59, Thursday night at Eugene, Ore.

The Wildcats (19-7 overall, 10-3 in the conference) saw a 31-26 halftime lead disappear when the Ducks (8-16, 3-11) battled back in the second half and took a 45-43 lead with 10 minutes left on two free throws by Keith Balderston.

Arizona responded with consecutive baskets by Steve Kerr and Anthony Cook to take the lead for good.

Arizona built a lead of as many as seven points, but the Wildcats almost let Oregon back into the game by missing the front end of three one-and-one free-throw opportunities in the final minute.

Oregon closed within two points with 21 seconds to play, but free throws by Craig McMillan and Edgar turned back the Ducks.

Sean Elliott added 14 points for Arizona; McMillan had 11 points and 8 assists, and Cook and Kerr each scored 10 points.

Jerry Adams had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Oregon, and Anthony Taylor added 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Oregon State 75, Arizona State 69--Jose Ortiz scored 6 of his 26 points in overtime to lead the Beavers past the Sun Devils at Corvallis, Ore.

Oregon State (11-11, 7-6) trailed, 27-22, at halftime, but went on a 15-6 surge for a 37-32 lead with 13 minutes left.

Arizona State (12-12, 6-8) got back into the game as the Beavers missed 14 of 33 second-half free throws. Oregon State had a six-point lead with 1 1/2 minutes left before Arizona State made its final charge.

Steve Beck’s three-point play cut the gap to 57-54 with 1:28 left, and Dave Kleckner hit a baseline jumper to reduce the margin to 58-57. Beaver freshman Van Anderson made a free throw, then Arizona State tied it, 59-59, on Alex Austin’s lay-in with seven seconds to play.