University of Washington
Oregon St
UW Edges Out Oregon State, 68-63
February 21, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2002
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Curtis Allen scored 15 points as Washington put itself in the drivers seat for the eighth and final spot in the Pac-10 Tournament by defeating Oregon State 68-63 on Thursday night.
Doug Wrenn scored 14 points and David Dixon added 12 for the Huskies (10-16, 4-12 Pac-10), who snapped a five-game losing streak to Oregon State.
Philip Ricci scored 24 points and Brandon Payton added 19 for the Beavers (11-15, 3-12), who ensured their 12th straight non-winning season.
Oregon State battled back from a double-digit deficit and closed to within 61-58. The Huskies didn't make a field goal in the final 4:40, but Washington hit seven of eight free throws in the final 32 seconds to clinch the game.
The Beavers were playing without two of their leading scorers - Jimmie Haywood and Brian Jackson - who both left the team earlier this week. Jackson and Haywood were the team's second- and third-leading scorers, respectively.
It was the first time Washington coach Bob Bender defeated his former assistant, OSU coach Ritchie McKay, in four tries.
Oregon State caught fire midway through the second half, scoring on five straight possessions and knocking down three 3-pointers, but still trailed 55-51.
Erroll Knight scored back-to-back baskets, and a 12-footer by Wrenn pushed the lead back to double-digits, 61-51.
Payton converted a three-point play and Ricci hit two free throws to put the Beavers within five with 2:34 to play.
J.S. Nash and Floyd North each added a free throw to make the score 61-58 with 33.4 seconds to play, but the Huskies closed it out at the free throw line.
