Oregon State Loses Coach, Then Game

Donald Watts scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half as the Washington Huskies ended a three-game losing streak with an 84-74 Pacific 10 Conference victory over Oregon State Thursday night at Seattle.

The Huskies (14-7, 7-5) won the battle of attrition against the Beavers (12-12, 2-10), who finished the game without Coach Eddie Payne and two players who fouled out, Jerome Vaden and John-Blair Bickerstaff.

Watts, son of former NBA player Slick Watts, scored 18 of the Huskies’ final 22 points in the last 5:49. He was 16 of 20 from the free-throw line.

With 10:23 remaining and Washington ahead, 46-42, Payne was ejected after getting his second technical for disputing two charging calls against Jerome Vaden.

“I’ve never behaved like that before,” said Payne, whose team was called for 30 personal fouls to Washington’s 16. “I’ve never been thrown out of a game before. I’ve never seen a game dominated by an official like Jerry White did tonight.”

Oregon State led, 32-28, at the half, scoring the final seven points in the final 2:13.

The Beavers’ Corey Benjamin, the Pac-10’s leading scorer, finished with 19 points and freshman teammate Deaundra Tanner had 20.

Washington beat the Beavers for the second time this season and for the fifth time in a row. The Huskies have won eight of the teams’ last nine contests.

Oregon 64, Washington State 63--Henry Madden scored 14 points as the Ducks defeated the Cougars at Pullman, Wash.

Washington State (8-15, 1-11) lost its eighth consecutive Pac-10 game, despite leading 36-34 at halftime.

Oregon (11-10, 6-6) also got 12 points each from A.D. Smith and Jonathon Nelson.

Steve Slotemaker led Washington State with 15 points. Carlos Daniel and Blake Pengelly added 10 points each.