The Associated Press
PULLMAN, Wash. Ä Damon Stoudamire scored 11 of his 40 points in the decisive second overtime last night as No. 12 Arizona overcame a nine-point deficit late in regulation and defeated Washington State 114-111.
Stoudamire, the Pacific 10 Conference's leading scorer, had six points in Arizona's late scoring run during regulation that forced the first overtime.
Washington State (14-10 overall, 8-7 in the Pac-10) was leading 85-74 with 1:40 remaining in regulation, but Arizona (22-6, 12-4) outscored the Cougars 17-6 to knot the score.
Stoudamire put the Wildcats ahead 91-90, hitting one of two free throws. The free throws came on a techincal foul called against the Washington State crowd for throwing refuse on the court.
Isaac Fontaine then hit one of two free throws with one second remaining to send the game into the first extra session.
The Wildcats, who also got 19 points from Joseph mid
Blair, outscored Washington State 16-13 in the second overtime to win.
The Cougars were led by Fontaine, who finished with 38 points, and Mark Hendrickson, who had 29.
The Cougars, who trailed 43-38 at the half, opened the second half with three 3-pointers and outscored the Wildcats 21-6 to take a 59-49 lead with 14:09 remaining. Stoudamire then hit Arizona's next four baskets to make the score 63-58 with 11:37 to go.
Washington State went on 14-5 run and Arizona answered with an 11-5 streak of its own to make it 79-74 with 5:03 remaining.
Washington State took a 20-11 lead seven minutes into the game on the strength of five three-pointers Ä three by Hendrickson and one each by Fontaine and Donminic Ellison.
Michael Dickerson's dunk with 8:23 remaining tied the game at 24 and capped a 13-4 Arizona scoring run.
The Cougars briefly regained the lead only to see the Wildcats go on a 13-4 scoring run that left them ahead at the half.
Arizona completes the second leg of its trip to the Great Northwest with a game against Washington tomorrow night in Seattle.