Stanford Holds Off Rally By Cougs In 10-Point Win Cardinal Remain Undefeated With Victory At Pullman

Peter Sauer scored 18 points, including two key free throws, as No. 5 Stanford fought off a late Washington State comeback to win 82-72 on Thursday night.

The Cardinal (17-0, 5-0 Pac-10) remain one of two undefeated Division I basketball teams along with No. 4 Utah, a 57-46 winner over Air Force on Thursday night.

The Cougars (8-9, 1-5 Pac-10) closed within 73-67 with 1:50 remaining after hitting 3 of 4 free throws on a single possession when Stanford’s Kris Weems was called for a blocking foul and then a technical for complaining to the referee.

Sauer hit a pair of free throws on the next possession to cut short Washington State’s run. He hit 1 of 2 free throws 40 seconds later to seal the victory.

Sauer finished 5 for 11 and hit 6 of 9 free throws for Stanford. Lee and Tim Young both had 13, Weems had 12 and Pete Van Elswyk had 11.

Washington State’s Carlos Daniel finished with a game-high 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Leif Nelson and Kab Kazadi each added 10.

Lee and Young scored seven points apiece in the opening minutes as Stanford took a 24-10 lead after 7:06 of play.

Washington State responded with runs of 9-3 run and 9-4 run before the half to move within 35-30 at the break.

Stanford opened the second half with a 20-7 run to take a 55-37 lead with 15:12 remaining.