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Dentmon sparks UW

UCLA’s Jrue Holiday is swarmed by defenders during second half of Thursday’s loss to Michigan. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
UCLA’s Jrue Holiday is swarmed by defenders during second half of Thursday’s loss to Michigan. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Justin Dentmon scored 21 points and freshman Isaiah Thomas added 19 as Washington survived an off night from star Jon Brockman and a halftime deficit to beat Florida International 74-51 on Thursday in Seattle.

Washington (2-1) will have to be far more consistent in its next game, against defending national champion and No. 24 Kansas on Monday in Kansas City, Mo.

Dentmon took over the game by scoring seven points in the first 4 minutes after halftime to turn Washington’s one-point deficit into a 38-32 lead. That edge grew to 55-43 with 8 1/2 minutes left, then to 66-47 while FIU (2-1) went almost 5 minutes without scoring.

Brockman, who had 53 points and 27 rebounds in Washington’s first two games, scored just eight on 4-for-8 shooting and had eight rebounds while uncharacteristically turning the ball over. It was the first time Brockman did not score in double figures in 40 games, dating to Feb. 24, 2007, at Oregon when he also had eight points.

The senior spent some of Washington’s sloppy, cold first half screaming at freshman guard Scott Suggs to notice he was getting good position near the basket. After Suggs declined to pass to him three consecutive times late in the half, Brockman stomped over to Suggs during a dead-ball period, pounded the new guy in the chest, grabbed his jersey and demanded, “Get the ball to the low post!”

Yet Brockman turned the ball over on consecutive trips 5 minutes into the second half and didn’t score or even take a shot until 8 1/2 minutes in.

Michigan 55, (4) UCLA 52: At New York, DeShawn Sims scored 18 points and Manny Harris added 15 to help the Wolverines (3-0) upset the Bruins (2-1) in the semifinals of the 2K Sports Classic.

Nikola Dragovic’s 3-pointer with 5 seconds to go cut it to 53-52. But Harris hit two free throws and blocked Darren Collison’s potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Wolverines will face No. 10 Duke in the championship game tonight.

(10) Duke 83, Southern Illinois 58: At New York, Gerald Henderson scored all 20 of his points after the break, helping the Blue Devils (4-0) find some offensive rhythm in a victory over the Salukis (2-1) in the semifinals of the 2K Sports Classic.

(13) Memphis 83, Chattanooga 71: At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Doneal Mack scored 19 points and Shawn Taggart had 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers (3-0) past the Mocs (0-3) in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

(18) Florida 64, Southern Utah 50: At Gainesville, Fla., Nick Calathes had 18 points and seven rebounds, leading the Gators (3-0) past the Thunderbirds (1-1) despite one of the worst 3-point shooting performances (1 for 16) in team history.

Seton Hall 63, (19) USC 61: At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jeremy Hazell scored 17 points and Eugene Harvey sank a free throw with 5 seconds remaining to help the Pirates (3-0) upend the Trojans (2-1) in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.