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Oregon State stuns Wildcats in OT

Associated Press

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Deanudra Tanner sank a 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer to give Oregon State a stunning 70-69 victory over No. 3 Arizona on last night.

Tanner scored 20 points for the Beavers (13-14, 5-11 Pac-10), who defeated Arizona for the second straight time at home following 17 consecutive losses overall to the Wildcats.

Michael Wright had 20 points for the Wildcats (24-5, 13-2), who may have blown their chance at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The teams traded turnovers in the final seconds before Arizona's Jason Gardner had his shot blocked by Jason Heide with 14 seconds left.

Tanner rebounded, but on the final possession the ball came loose. Heide wound up with it and dished off to Tanner, who stepped behind the 3-point line and let the shot fly.

With the roar of the crowd, the horn seemed to have sounded before Tanner got the shot off, but replays showed there was 0.2 seconds left when the shot left his hands. After it swished through, the fans poured onto the court. Arizona and coach Lute Olson did not protest.

The teams went to overtime tied at 60, and Gardner sank two straight 3-pointers to start the extra period.

The Beavers climbed back with a layup by Clifton Jones and a 3-pointer by Josh Steinthal that cut it to 66-65 with 2:11 left. Wright made three free throws in two trips to the line, but his last shot missed, leaving Arizona with a 69-67 lead and setting up the thrilling finish.

Gilbert Arenas and Gardner each had 16 points for the Wildcats, who lost here last year 60-59 when they were ranked No. 9.

It was Oregon State's first win over a team ranked as high as No. 3 since Dec. 2, 1989, when the Beavers defeated No. 2 Arizona 84-61. That was Oregon State's last winning season.

The Beavers took a 60-57 lead in regulation on Brian Jackson's two free throws with 15.9 seconds left.

Gardner launched a 3-pointer and fell to the floor in front of the Wildcats' bench. A foul was called on Jimmie Haywood, but there appeared to be little contact.

Gardner made all three free throws with seven seconds left to tie it. The Beavers pushed the ball past halfcourt and called a timeout with 1.5 seconds left to set up a final play, but Richard Jefferson leapt high to intercept the inbound pass toward the basket.

Jefferson, who played for the first time since breaking his right foot in a victory at Stanford Jan. 8, played nine minutes and was held scoreless on two field goal attempts.

The Wildcats also were without star center Loren Woods, who isn't expected to return until the NCAA tournament because of an injured back.