SEATTLE – It reigned (and it rained) Thursday night at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
After shooting just 33 percent from the field during the first half (to Oregon State’s 21 percent), Washington snapped a four-game losing streak with a late 10-2 run to sink the Beavers 56-43.
The first half would have been hard to watch, had anyone in the crowd been paying attention. Focus shifted off the court early on, when two Seattle SuperSonics legends in Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp sat side-by-side to watch their namesakes face off at the collegiate level for the first time. The brief renaissance led to a standing ovation and a resounding chant of “Save our Sonics” during one media timeout.
Meanwhile, neither son’s team could capitalize on offense on the court. For six minutes, 21 seconds during the first half, the two were deadlocked at 15 points. It went back and forth like this:
Andrew Andrews misses a 3-pointer.
Clang.
Langston Morris-Walker misses a jumper.
Clang.
Robert Upshaw misses a free throw.
Not unexpected.
And so on. Shawn Kemp Jr. eventually ended the drought with a layup just over a minute before the break.
A lot of the missed shots were the product of disconnected (and short-handed) offenses. The Huskies were without forward Jernard Jarreau, who suffered a knee injury last weekend against Washington State, and will miss 4-to-6 weeks after he undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today. The Beavers were missing forward Victor Robbins, who led the team in scoring during its last seven games, after he was suspended for 10 games earlier this week for violating athletic policy.
But two conference-leading defenses also contributed to the offensive trouble. OSU has been celebrated so far this season for its nearly impenetrable 2-3 zone, while the UW leads the conference in blocks. Husky center Robert Upshaw broke the school’s single-season record for blocked shots (he now has an NCAA-leading 72) by adding six Thursday night, in addition to 15 rebounds. OSU guard Gary Payton II countered with eight rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.
Eventually the gruesome first half gave way to the break. The Huskies regrouped and found some rhythm on the shoulders of Andrews and Mike Anderson – who scored all 11 of his points during the second half, including a timely 3-pointer with 2 minutes, 55 seconds left to play, which increased Washington’s lead to eight. Upshaw added 12 of his own to complete his fifth double-double of the season.
The Beavers, conversely, looked fatigued throughout the second half, obviously missing Robbins underneath the hoop, as they fought a losing battle with the UW bigs. Guard Malcolm Duvivier and forward Jarmal Reid led the Beavers with 10 points each. Payton II only earned four, shooting 1-for-7 from the field. His one field goal, a baseline dunk over Andrews, was impressive, though Dad still has a thing or two to teach him about running an effective offense.
OSU’s 43 points are a season low, as the offense continues to struggle with finding consistency and clear leadership. With the win, the UW finally replaces its Pac-12 goose egg, improving to 1-3 (12-4 overall), while the Beavers slip to .500 in conference play at 2-2 (11-5 overall). OSU travels to Pullman next to face the Cougars Saturday night. No NBA legends are expected to attend.
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