PACIFIC 10 ROUNDUP : Payton Leads Oregon State to Tie for Title
Gary Payton had 22 points, seven assists and five steals as 16th-ranked Oregon State clinched a tie for the Pacific 10 Conference basketball championship by defeating Arizona State, 73-59, Thursday night at Tempe, Ariz.
The Beavers (22-4, 15-2 in the Pac-10) can win their first conference title since 1983-84 with a victory Saturday at Arizona.
Alex Austin scored 23 points for Arizona State (12-14, 5-12).
Oregon State trailed, 34-31, with 16:23 left before mounting a 24-8 run and beating the Sun Devils for the ninth consecutive time.
Earl Martin’s two three-point shots sparked the spurt that gave Oregon State a 55-42 lead.
No. 23 Arizona 84, Oregon 58--Sean Rooks scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half at and ignited a 23-7 surge at Tempe, Ariz.
The Wildcats (20-6, 14-3) stayed in Pacific 10 title contention with their 46th consecutive home victory.
Kevin Mixon scored 16 points for Oregon (15-11, 10-7).
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