Rout puts Washington in driver’s seat
Led by the starring foursome of Isaiah Thomas, Justin Dentmon, Quincy Pondexter and Jon Brockman, Washington ran over Oregon, 103-84, Saturday afternoon at Seattle and took a 1 1/2 -game lead in the Pacific 10 Conference standings.
The foursome each topped the 20-point mark, led by Thomas’ 24 points. Dentmon finished with 21 points, same as Brockman, who also tied his career high with 18 rebounds. Pondexter had 20 points, the third time he has scored 20 or more in Washington’s last four games.
“This is about to be a lot of fun. This is where champions come out and play,” Dentmon said. “Once the light is on, we just have to come out and perform.”
About the only blemish on the day for the Huskies (19-6 overall, 10-3 in conference play) was an uninterested effort defensively in the second half, as Oregon’s shooters found their stroke from beyond the three-point line.
Guard Tajuan Porter made six three-point baskets and scored 27 of his season-high 33 points in the second half for the Ducks (6-19, 0-13).
Washington won its eighth straight over the Ducks in Seattle and the 103 points was a season high.
The Huskies play at second-place UCLA on Thursday and at USC on Saturday.
“I think guys will realize how big a deal this is,” Brockman said.
California 82, Stanford 75 -- Patrick Christopher scored 21 points and Jerome Randle had 18 to help the host Golden Bears (19-6, 8-4) celebrate the 100th anniversary of men’s basketball at the school.
The Golden Bears trailed by 22 points in the first half and were down by 14 at halftime before opening the second half with a 16-3 run.
Landry Fields scored 16 points to pace five Cardinal players in double figures. Stanford (15-8, 4-8) made only one basket in the last eight minutes.
Oregon State 54, Washington State 52 -- Calvin Haynes scored 17 points, including 12 in a decisive second-half stretch, and the Beavers (11-13, 5-8) rallied at Pullman, Wash.
Klay Thompson scored 20 points to lead the Cougars (13-12, 5-8), who led, 32-20, at halftime after shooting 56% from the field.
Washington State was scoreless for about eight minutes in the second half as Oregon State went on a 16-0 run to take the lead.