Stoudamire once again key to win

The Associated Press

SEATTLE Ä How much does Damon Stoudamire do for the No. 12 Arizona men's basketball team?

Put it this way: Without him, the Wildcats would have been in serious trouble Saturday night.

Stoudamire hit four long three-pointers in the second half and finished with 26 points to help Arizona beat Washington 63-54 in their next-to-last Pacific 10 Conference game of the season.

''He's got the full spectrum of ability,'' Washington's Jason Hamilton said. ''He can shoot, he can drive, he can do everything.''

''Damon does so many things for us. Almost too many,'' Arizona coach Lute Olson said appreciatively.

Arizona needed everything it could get from Stoudamire after letting a 20-point lead get away in the second half.

''I'll do whatever I have to do to keep the team winning,'' Stoudamire said. ''If I have to keep scoring, I'll keep on scoring.''

The NCAA Tournament-bound Wildcats (23-6 overall, 13-4 in the Pac-10) took a 28-8 lead in the game's first 14 1/2 minutes as the Huskies (8-17, 4-12) missed 16 of their first 18 shots.

Stoudamire, the Pac-10's leading scorer, scored 15 points in the second half and finished with a 10-for-18 shooting night, including 5-of-8 three-point attempts.

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