Feb. 21, 2008
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) -Derrick Low scored 15 points and No. 17 Washington State relied on the Pac-10's best defense to shut down Arizona State in a 59-47 victory Thursday night.
Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie both had 10 points and six rebounds for Washington State (21-5, 9-5), which won its fourth straight, the longest current streak in the conference. The Cougars swept the two-game series with Arizona State for the second straight season.
Freshman James Harden, who averages 18 points per game, had 10 points to lead the Sun Devils (16-9, 6-7), who were held 21 points below their season average.
Washington State, third in the nation in defense allowing 55 points per game, held Arizona State to 33 percent shooting, including 6-of-25 from 3-point range. The Cougars had eight steals.
The Cougars won despite a late second-half scoring drought that saw them held without a field goal for 6 minutes. They shot 43 percent for the game.
A 3-pointer by Ty Abbott, his first points of the game after scoring 30 in the previous outing, brought Arizona State within 43-40 with 7:42 left. But the Sun Devils did not make another field goal.
Baynes, the Cougars' center, stole the ball and drove all the way down court for a dunk that gave Washington State a 45-40 lead with 5:57 left and ignited the crowd.
Harden was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to bring the Sun Devils within 45-43. Kyle Weaver then made two free throws for Washington State.
Two minutes passed without a basket before Daven Harmeling of the Cougars hit a 3 from the corner for a 50-43 lead with 2:20 left.
The Cougars shot 54 percent in taking a 30-26 halftime lead.