Huskies Win to Finish Second

Washington overcame a slow start with a sizzling finish Saturday and defeated Arizona, 70-67, at Tucson.

The 14th-ranked Huskies, 24-5 overall, 13-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference, trailed for 39 minutes, but scrambled back and won their eighth in a row to secure second place in the conference.

“I am so proud of our guys to win a game like this,” Coach Lorenzo Romar said after his team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final 14 minutes. “To continue to just chip away, chip away and not lose your composure, that’s what you love to see. We are a team. That’s the only way you win games like this.”

Senior Brandon Roy scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Huskies, who won despite 20 points by Arizona’s Marcus Williams. The loss stung the Wildcats (18-11, 11-7), who are trying to extend their string of 21 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, the nation’s longest active streak.

After fighting to stay close all game, the Huskies took their first lead at 68-67 when Justin Dentmon stripped Williams of the ball at halfcourt and fed Bobby Jones, who dunked with 33 seconds to go.

“I think it was just a gift to me,” Dentmon said. “He just gave it to me and I ran with it.”

Williams had a chance to atone for his blunder when he drew a shooting foul 13 seconds later. But he missed two free throws and the Huskies rebounded.

After Dentmon made two free throws with nine seconds left, Adams air-balled a three-point shot to cinch the Wildcats’ loss.

Arizona State 68, Washington State 55 -- Kevin Kruger scored 20 points, including four three-point baskets at Tempe, Ariz., and the Sun Devils won in what could have been the final home game for Coach Rob Evans.

There is widespread speculation that Arizona State (11-16, 5-13) will fire Evans, who is finishing his eighth season coaching the team.

It also was the last regular-season game for Washington State Coach Dick Bennett, who is retiring after this season.

Caleb Forrest was the only Cougar (11-16, 4-14) player in double figures, with 11 points.

Oregon State 65, Oregon 62 -- Sasa Cuic had 21 points to help lead the Beavers past the Ducks at Corvallis, Ore.

Chamberlain Oguchi had 20 points for the Ducks (13-17, 7-11), who finished seventh in Pac-10 play and will meet Washington State in the first-round of the conference tournament.

Senior Chris Stephens scored 13 points for the Beavers (12-17, 5-13), who will meet Arizona State in the tournament.