WSU Fails To Cash In On Chances Cougars Rally, But Prove To Be Their Own Worst Enemies In Loss To Oregon

Oregon squandered most of a 17-point lead Saturday and seemed determined to give away yet another basketball game, but Washington State was unable to capitalize.

Missed free throws, poor rebounding and a disastrous stretch immediately after halftime were among the culprits as the Cougars suffered a 71-62 Pac-10 men’s basketball defeat before 8,213 typically boisterous fans at McArthur Court.

WSU, in falling to 8-8 overall and 1-4 in the conference, came tantalizingly close to its first conference road sweep since brushing aside the Oregon schools in 1995.

The Ducks (7-8, 2-4), meanwhile, were finally able to celebrate after blowing late leads in consecutive losses to USC, UCLA and Washington. Oregon had lost four straight overall, starting with a blowout loss to Stanford.

WSU was a competent antidote. The Cougars made just 12 of 25 free throws, were outrebounded 42-30 and fell behind 48-31 after surrendering a 13-2 run early in the second half.

Another problem: Starting forwards Carlos Daniel and Chris Crosby combined for only 10 rebounds, and Daniel had 10 of them.

Oregon freshman Flo Hartenstein, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound bruiser, pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds and made Daniel work for his 17 points.

One play was both dramatic and symbolic.

Guard Kab Kazadi had pulled WSU within 35-29 by hitting a 3-pointer on the first play of the second half.

Moments later, as Daniel powered to the hoop for a rim-rattling dunk, Hartenstein rudely intervened with a resounding rejection. With a disbelieving Daniel sprawled on the floor, Jamar Curry raced downcourt for Oregon, soaring above Crosby for an artistic finger-roll.

Oregon’s 13-2 run had begun.

“That seems to be a trend for us,” Daniel said. “We’ve been coming out lackadaisical for whatever reason to start the second half.”

WSU awoke only after Daniel asserted himself with 13:48 left. The 6-7, 245-pound senior had been unable to get inside position against Hartenstein, so he spun to the basket and slammed home an alley-oop pass from point guard Blake Pengelly.

Over the next several minutes, Daniel blocked a shot, grabbed several rebounds, dove out of bounds to save a loose ball and threw down two more dunks.

“He’s such a great low-post player and, boy, we wore down a little bit,” Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. “I think he’s the most physical post guy in this conference, by far.”

Daniel simply wasn’t enough, not by himself. Hartenstein had plenty of inside help, starting with senior forward Henry Madden, who finished with 18 points and six rebounds.

WSU also had problems in the backcourt.

Oregon off-guard Terik Brown had 20 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. Even point guard Yasir Rosemond, who hadn’t scored in two games, came through with a pair of 3-pointers in the final 6 minutes.

WSU guards Pengelly and Kazadi came to life only in the final minutes, combining on a flurry of 3-pointers that pulled the Cougars within 62-60 with 2:51 remaining.

But Rosemond answered with his second 3-pointer, and Curry put the game away by converting a three-point play with 36.9 on the clock.

“It just took too long for us to get in the flow,” Daniel said. “But this team, we don’t ever give up. That’s something I love about these guys. A call here, a roll here, we win this game.”

Seventh-ranked Stanford is next for WSU. The Cardinal visit Friel Court on Thursday night, with tipoff set for 7:30. The game will be televised by Fox Sports.

Oregon 71, Washington St. 62

Washington State (8-8) - Daniel 7-12 3-7 17, Crosby 3-7 2-4 10, Nelson 1-5 0-0 2, Pengelly 2-7 1-4 7, Kazadi 4-11 2-4 12, Hutchens 0-0 0-0 0, Mensah-Bonsu 1-3 3-4 5, Slotemaker 3-5 1-2 9. Totals 21-50 12-25 62.

Oregon (7-8) - Madden 7-14 4-5 18, Curry 3-9 2-4 8, Hardenstein 4-11 0-0 8, Rosemond 2-3 0-0 6, Brown 7-15 2-3 20, Smith 1-4 2-2 4, Quinine 2-5 1-2 5, McShane 0-1 0-0 0, Nelson 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 27-63 11-16 71.

Halftime - Oregon 35, Washington State 26. 3-Point goals - Washington State 8-18 (Slotemaker 2-2, Crosby 2-3, Pengelly 2-6, Kazadi 2-6, Daniel 0-1), Oregon 6-13 (Brown 4-7, Rosemond 2-3, McShane 0-1, Madden 0-2). Fouled out - None. Rebounds - Washington St 30 (Daniel 10), Oregon 42 (Hartenstein 12). Assists - Washington St 9 (Pengelly 4), Oregon 15 (Curry, Brown 3). Total fouls - Washington St 16, Oregon 25. Technicals - Madden. A - 8,213.

, DataTimes