Ducks Shoot Past Huskies

Oregon played at home for the first time in nearly a month Thursday night, and the result was predictable.

Luke Jackson scored 24 points and reserve guard James Davis had 19 to spark the Ducks to a 84-74 victory over Washington.

The win was the sixth straight at McArthur Court and the 34th in the last 36 games for Oregon, 7-4 overall, 2-2 Pacific 10).

The Ducks hadn’t had a home game since beating Santa Clara on Dec. 17.

“We missed this crowd and this building,” Oregon Coach Ernie Kent said. “This game gave us a chance to play out some nerves.”

Davis connected on five-of-six three-point shots, including four during a three-minute stretch of the first half that brought the Ducks back from their only deficit of the game.

Jackson, who also had seven rebounds and seven assists, scored 16 of his points in the second half.

The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Ducks. The Huskies (5-8, 0-5) have lost five in a row.

Davis gave the Ducks a lift in the first half after a slow start. The senior, who started 32 games last season, made three-pointers on three consecutive possessions to put Oregon ahead, 21-18.

“The coaches have the utmost confidence in me and I credit the big men for setting screens and getting the ball out to me,” Davis said.

Andre Joseph continued the Ducks’ hot streak from long range with a three-point basket, and Davis followed with his fourth of the half to give Oregon a 27-24 lead with 9:31 to play before the break, a lead it would never relinquish.

“When James gets hot like that, he’s a dangerous weapon,” Jackson said. “He’s capable of doing that every night.”

Leading, 64-56, with just under eight minutes left, the Ducks went on a 12-2 run to put the game away. Jackson scored eight points during that span, while Davis had yet another three-point basket.

Oregon State 52, Washington State 41 -- David Lucas had 21 points to lead the Beavers (8-6, 2-2) at Corvallis, Ore.

The Cougars shot a season-low 29%, and made only three of 15 three-point attempts.

Chris Stephens and Jim Hanchett each had eight points for the Beavers. Reserve Ezenwa Ukeagu had 11 points to lead the Cougars (8-7, 2-3), who shot 21% in the first half and committed nine turnovers.

It was a slow and sloppy beginning for both teams. The game was tied, 11-11, more than halfway through the first half. Oregon State then warmed up, using a 14-1 run on its way to a 29-16 lead at the break.

Lucas had the only hot hand in the first half, scoring 14 points on seven-of-10 shooting.

Stephens made a three-pointer at 9:52 in the second half to give the Beavers a 39-24 lead.

Oregon State’s lead increased to 48-29 at 4:34, as the desperate Cougars attempted errant three-point shots.

The Cougars closed with a 12-4 run, but it was too late.

Oregon State has won eight of the last 10 meetings between the teams