DeWitz leads Beavers past Wildcats

Jay John can’t say what Oregon State’s upset of No. 24 Arizona means in the long run. He does know what made it happen.

“We shot like crazy in the first half,” the Beavers’ coach said.

And they kept it up for most of the game, shooting a season-high 61.4 percent in a 75-65 victory over the Wildcats on Thursday night at Corvallis, Ore.

Nick DeWitz had a season-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting to lead the Beavers, who lost a 22-point lead in the second half, but held on in the final minutes.

Chris Stephens and Sasa Cuic each added 13 points for the Beavers (9-6, 2-2 Pac-10), who outscored Arizona 14-4 over the final 4 minutes after the Wildcats had rallied to tie the game.

Hassan Adams had 22 points and five steals and Mustafa Shakur added 17 points for the Wildcats (10-5, 3-2).

Marcel Jones scored twice and Cuic hit a 15-footer with 59 seconds left to give Oregon State a 69-63 lead.

The Beavers scored the game’s first 14 points and completely dominated the opening eight minutes. By the time Arizona called a timeout with 11:49 left in the half, Oregon State was up 20-4, had made 9 of 10 shots and had a 6-1 rebounding advantage.

The Beavers hit 12 of their first 14 shots and led by as many as 23 points early on. Oregon State shot 65 percent in the first half and took a 41-24 lead into halftime.

John, an assistant under Lute Olson at Arizona for four seasons, beat his mentor for the second time in seven games.

John said he couldn’t attach any particular significance to the win.

“I don’t really know anything yet. … We’re not near what we’re going to be later. Our guys are going to get better,” he said.

Oregon 67, Arizona St. 53

Aaron Brooks scored 19 points to lead the Ducks to a win against the Sun Devils at Eugene, Ore.

Malik Hairston added 16 points for the Ducks (8-8, 2-2) and scored seven straight during a 13-5 run late in the second half that increased UO’s lead from 51-44 to 64-49 with 3:25 to play.

Bryce Taylor also scored 14 for the Ducks, who were without starting forward Maarty Leunen (ankle injury) and reserve forward Ivan Johnson, who missed his second straight game following a suspension for not living up to personal expectations previously established between himself and Oregon coach Ernie Kent.

Anti Atuahene scored a season-high 21 to lead the Sun Devils (6-8, 0-5), who lost their fifth straight.