Originally published Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Men's Basketball | Cougs' defense won't rest
Washington State prides itself on defense. The sixth-ranked Cougars were never prouder than Saturday, when they came up with two big stops...
The Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. — Washington State prides itself on defense.
The sixth-ranked Cougars were never prouder than Saturday, when they came up with two big stops in the final minute to pull out a 56-55 victory over No. 24 Arizona State.
Derrick Low scored 18 points, all on three-pointers, as Washington State overcame an early 11-point deficit for a hard-earned split on its trip to the desert.
"We made just enough plays and made just enough stops to win," Washington State coach Tony Bennett said. "I'd be sick if we would've lost it. I'm sure Arizona State's feeling sick about it."
The Cougars (17-2 overall, 5-2 Pac-10) survived the upset bid when Arizona State's star freshman James Harden came up short on a drive to the basket at the buzzer. Harden finished with 25 points, his 10th 20-point game.
Then the Cougars survived an angry Wells Fargo Arena crowd. Bennett said his assistant coaches told him that "a couple" Washington State players were hit by debris thrown from the stands as they left the floor. Bennett did not identify the players.
"A couple of our kids did get peppered in the head by water bottles coming off the court," Bennett said.
Arizona State athletic director Lisa Love said she would review video.
"We certainly don't want things to come out of the stands and we don't want to put anybody at risk," Love said.
Low bounced back nicely after going 2 of 9 from the field in a loss at Arizona two nights earlier. He finished 6 of 11 on Saturday, all from behind the arc.
It was the second year in a row that the Cougars escaped Tempe with a one-point victory.
Both teams seemed to have an extra measure of desperation this time.
![]()
The Sun Devils (14-5, 4-3) had dropped two in a row, including a deflating 72-61 home loss to Washington on Thursday night. Washington State was coming off a 76-64 loss at Arizona two nights earlier.
"Any time you can get a win on the road, you know it's big-time in this league, so we'll take it," Weaver said.
Taylor Rochestie added 13 points for the Cougars, who launched an 18-0 run late in the first half and into the second.
Washington State's lead grew to 43-32 midway through the second half. And the Cougars seemed to be in command with a 56-48 lead with 2:50 to play.
But the Sun Devils went on a 7-0 run capped by Harden's driving layup with 1:09 left.
Neither team scored again. Washington State stoned Harden twice in the final 42 seconds.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
WSU Basketball | Cougars hope to end second-half letdowns
LSU's late run carries it by WSU, 64-52
NW Briefs | WSU football gets a commitment
Job change a fortunate twist for LSU coach Trent Johnson
College Basketball | WSU rolls past Idaho

Snoqualmie flooding
Early flooding in the Snoqualmie Valley from the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers.
AP's News Minute
All of today's news in one minute.
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Mystery solved: Gov. Gregoire visiting troops in Iraq
- Kirkland's Jason Mesnick spills about "The Bachelor"
- Puyallup mom who attacked child molester with baseball bat pleads guilty to assault
- Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
- Steve Kelley | UW football is "a sleeping giant" and Nick Holt plans to inject adrenaline
- In court, nightclub shooting suspect regained right to gun
- Tax cuts a big part of Obama's $775B plan
- 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
- Chew on this: We'll soon be able to grow replacement teeth
- Federal racketeering trial begins for Washington Hells Angels
- Israeli forces bisect Gaza, surround biggest city
499 - Holt's contract released --- he's making a lot
281 - 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
146 - 2009 starts...slowly
89 - A few more Holt notes
68 - UW football is "a sleeping giant" and Nick Holt plans to inject adrenaline
51 - Donatell to USC? More Wednesday morning links
45 - Tuesday night wrapup
44 - Budget deficit looms largest
44 - Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
41
- 11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks
- Chew on this: We'll soon be able to grow replacement teeth
- Happy Hour | A taste of Hawaii on Queen Anne at Genki Sushi
- Homemade version of Buffalo Chicken Wings saves on calories, not on taste
- Pelicans fall out of sky from Mexico to Ore.
- Eating certain foods together helps with nutrient absorption
- Mystery solved: Gov. Gregoire visiting troops in Iraq
- Change your life in 2009 with these 52 tips
- Washington state employee hiring freeze lifted
- Median home price in King County tops $400,000 again in December












