Bad Start at Seattle Dooms USC

USC watched Washington score early and often as the Huskies kept alive their NCAA tournament hopes with a 91-66 victory Thursday night.

Deon Luton scored 22 points, including four three-point baskets, and 7-footer Todd MacCulloch had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Washington, seeking its first NCAA tournament berth in 12 years.

The Huskies (16-9, 9-7 Pacific 10) must defeat No. 18 UCLA and Washington State in their final two regular-season games to have a realistic shot at a bid.

“We can’t afford to lose,” Luton said. “We’ve to get in, and we’ve got to win to get in.”

“You just don’t know,” fifth-year Coach Bob Bender said. “No one can say that if we win these last two, we’re in.”

For the Trojans (7-18, 3-12), Gary Johnson scored 17 points and Gary Williams tallied 14. USC lost its sixth consecutive game.

Henry Bibby, who coached the Trojans into the tournament last season, said he wasn’t sure if Washington would get an invitation--even if the Huskies win their final two regular-season games.

“I would like to see Bob get in,” Bibby said.

The Huskies led, 45-29, at halftime--their biggest first-half lead of the season--after Chris Walcott’s layup on an offensive rebound with 1.2 seconds left.

Washington started fast, jumping out to a 16-5 lead in the first 4:07 with Luton contributing a three-point basket and a dunk on a fastbreak.

In the second half, Washington outscored the Trojans, 11-2, in the first 5:15 to go ahead, 56-31, and break open the game.

The 25-point margin was Washington’s biggest win of the season. The Huskies’ previous best was a 22-point home victory over Arizona State Jan. 8.

“I wish we played them more often,” said Luton, who had seven three-point baskets and a career-high 31 points in a 101-86 victory at USC on Jan. 29.

“Deon Luton loves to see us,” Bibby said. “We should give him a scholarship the way he shoots [11 for 17 from three-point range] against us.”

Washington beat USC for the sixth time in seven games and swept the season series for the second time in three years.

“We did none of the things that we did right against UCLA,” said Bibby, referring to USC’s overtime loss to the Bruins last week.