Huskies Explode To Rout Beavers

Final Score: Washington 103 Oregon St. 72

Washington made a 12-2 run at the end of the first half, turning a 9 point deficit into a 1 point lead at the break, then roared out of the locker room at Hec Ed in Seattle with an 18-2 run that blew the game open. Another 28-10 run in the final 6 minutes turned any thought of an Oregon St. rally into a rout.

The Beavers bolted out of the gate, and Jared Cunningham's 3 point jumper opened an 11-3 lead less than 4 minutes into the game. Back to back three pointers by Cunningham and Calvin Haynes opened a 9 point 37-28 lead, the biggest of the game by the Beavers, with 3:25 left before halftime.

Matthew Bryan-Amaning, who would go on to lead everyone in both scoring and rebounding, with a 24 point, 15 rebound performance, had five of those points, and three of the rebounds, in Washington's ensuing run, capped by a bucket at the buzzer by Venoy Overton. Overton has been the guard to pick up most of the slack following the loss for the season of the Huskies' Abdul Gaddy, who tore his left ACL Tuesday in practice.

Oregon St. coach Craig Robinson couldn't manage to make it to the first media timeout after the break before having to call a timeout, but may have waited too long anyway. Bryan-Amining, who had a season best night in last year's Washington win in Corvallis, kept up his domination of the Beavers, starting the second half charge with the first basket, and Oregon St. couldn't contend with the pace the Huskies played.

Seven turnovers also contributed to the 18-2 Washington run, as did 30% shooting from the floor in the second half by Oregon St. Meanwhile, the Huskies shot 64% from the field after the break, including 60% (6 of 10) on three pointers.

Washington also out-rebounded Oregon St. on both ends of the floor, resulting in a big edge in points in the paint, second chance points, and fast break points.

Five Huskies finished in double figures in scoring led by Isaiah Thomas with 19.  Jefferson grad. Terrance Ross led three Huskies off the bench in double digits, with 14 points.

Cunningham finished with 21 points, the only Oregon St. starter in double digits. Roberto Nelson added 15 points in 18 minutes, and Ahmad Starks had 10 points.

Washington (12-3, 4-0) is in sole possession of first place in the Pac-10 with the win, and heads to the Bay Area next. The Huskies will face Stanford, who is in second place in the conference pending the outcome of today's game against Arizona.

Oregon St. (7-8, 2-2) returns home for a series against UCLA (9-5, 1-1) Thursday night at 5:30 PM, and USC (9-6, 1-1) Saturday evening at 7:30. The Bruins visit the Trojans tonight.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com