Pacific 10 Roundup : Wildcats Defeat Cougars, 62-61, to Keep Top Spot

Sean Elliott scored 17 points, and Steve Kerr added 15 Saturday night to help Arizona retain first place in the Pacific 10 Conference with a 62-61 victory over Washington State at Tucson.

Arizona, 22-7 overall and 13-3 in the conference, remained one game ahead of Washington with two Pac-10 games left. Washington State dropped to 13-15 and 6-9.

Craig McMillan’s free throw with 2:20 remaining gave Arizona a 62-59 lead. Chris Winkler brought Washington State within 62-61 with 1:10 left. The Cougars had a chance to win the game, but Winkler missed a 16-footer, which Kerr rebounded with two seconds left.

Brian Quinnett led the Cougars with 14 points.

Arizona concluded this season’s home schedule at 16-0, the best record in school history, and has won 18 straight games at home dating back to last season.

Washington 64, Arizona State 62--Al Moscatel sank a 25-foot jumper with three seconds left at Tempe, Ariz., to keep the Huskies’ hopes alive for a third straight Pac-10 title.

Washington, 18-10 overall and 12-4 in the conference, led at halftime, 31-30, and with 1:38 remaining, 61-58, before Arizona State rallied and tied the score, 62-62, on Arthur Thomas’ jumper with 16 seconds remaining.

But Moscatel, who had missed a free throw with 25 seconds left, won it with his desperation jump shot.

Seven-foot center Chris Welp paced the Huskies with 32 points, including 20 in the second half. Paul Fortier added 11.

Steve Beck scored 18 points for Arizona State, including 12 in the second half. The junior guard has surpassed 1,000 points in his collegiate career.

The Sun Devils are 13-14 and 7-10.