Oregon Rises to Top Behind 33 by Jones

Frederick Jones scored 33 points as Oregon moved into sole possession of first place in the Pacific 10 Conference with a 90-84 victory against Washington on Saturday night at Eugene, Ore.

Luke Jackson had 23 points for the Ducks (20-7, 12-4), who finished 16-0 at home for the first time since 1937-38. The victory also put Oregon in position to claim at least a share of its first Pac-10 title next week when it travels south to play USC on Thursday and UCLA on Saturday.

The Huskies (10-17, 4-13) did make it tougher than most of Oregon’s previous 15 opponents, as Doug Wrenn scored 27 points and Curtis Allen had 18.

Oregon led by as many as 13 points before the Huskies stormed back in the final two minutes to cut an 80-71 deficit to 82-79 after Wrenn scored on a put back and free throw.

Jones then made his fifth three-point basket of the game, and the Ducks made five of six free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

Washington outrebounded Oregon, 39-34, and shot 54% from the field. Oregon shot 44%.

The Huskies were done in by 25 turnovers, and they made only half of their 22 free-throw attempts.

Washington also didn’t have an answer for Jones, a senior guard playing in his final home game. Jones made 12 of 20 shots, including five of seven three-pointers, and had seven rebounds and five steals.

With 4:16 to play in the first half, Allen made a three-pointer and free throw to put Washington ahead, 35-34.

But Luke Ridnour made a three-pointer and Jackson scored five consecutive points to put Oregon back up, 42-37, a lead the Ducks extended to 51-45 by halftime.

Oregon State 91, Washington State 55--Brandon Payton scored 21 points as the Beavers won at Corvallis, Ore.

Philip Ricci and J.S. Nash each had 14 points for Oregon State (12-15, 4-12), which scored a season high.

Thomas Kelati scored 17 points and Marcus Moore had 14 to lead the Cougars (5-20, 1-16), who have lost 18 of their last 19 games.

Washington State got to within 11 in the second half, but the Beavers scored the next 17 points to open a 66-38 lead.

Payton, a transfer from UC Santa Barbara, matched his season-high record by making eight of 10 shots, including four of five three-pointers. The Beavers made their first 20 free throws before David Lucas missed at the line with 2:56 left.