Cal Sinks to a New Low in 43-41 Win

Leon Powe scored 21 points Thursday night to lead California past Washington State, 43-41, at Pullman, Wash.

Ayinde Ubaka scored 14 points for the Golden Bears (17-7 overall, 11-4 Pacific 10). Three players combined for the only California points not scored by Powe and Ubaka.

Washington State’s only lead came at 5-4. The Cougars forged a 39-39 tie on Caleb Forrest’s 18-foot jump shot with 2:50 left, but Rod Benson put Cal ahead to stay with a rebound follow with 2:16 left.

The 43 points were the fewest in a California victory since the Bears defeated Stanford, 43-41, in double overtime on Feb. 16, 1985. The last time California won with less than 43 points was a 42-36 win over Oregon State on Jan. 31, 1985.

The 84-point combined total was the second-lowest in a Pac-10 game this season. UCLA and Washington State combined for 80 points in the Bruins’ 50-30 win at Pullman on Feb. 9.

Powe scored 13 of the Bears’ 19 points in the second half.

“It was one of the ugliest games I’ve been in,” Powe said. “It just feels like everything is in slow motion.”

In the second half, Cal made only 33% of its shots, missing all 10 of its three-point attempts and missing seven of 10 free throws.

Derrick Low led Washington State (11-13, 4-11) with eight points.

No. 17 Washington 75, Stanford 57 -- The loss at Seattle dealt a serious blow to the Cardinal’s hope of making a 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Stanford (13-11, 9-6) lost for the fourth time in its last five games and has defeated only one ranked opponent this season -- Washington on Jan. 29.

Brandon Roy continued his strong play for the Huskies (21-5, 10-5) with 23 points and seven assists. He scored at least 20 points for the eighth consecutive game. Stanford made only 37% of its shots for the game.