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Baynes dominates late as Washington State tops Oregon

Feb 17, 2008 - 6:06 AM EUGENE, Oregon (Ticker) -- Maarty Leunen almost single-handedly helped Oregon deal Washington State yet another blow in Eugene. But Aron Baynes had other ideas.

Baynes scored seven of his 12 points in a span of just over two minutes late in the game to help the 20th-ranked Cougars post a 62-53 Pac-10 victory over the Ducks on Saturday.

"I was working for position all night," Baynes said. "And all of our guys did a great job working hard on the boards. In the past, they have hurt us on second chance points, but tonight we focused on going after every rebound as a team."

Taylor Rochestie scored 21 points and Derrick Low added 15 as Washington State snapped a 12-game losing streak and picked up its first win at McArthur Court since February 18, 1995.

"To get a win at Mac Court in a game like this gives us the confidence that we can play anywhere," Low said.

The Ducks (15-10, 6-7 Pac-10) trailed, 30-27, at the break but hung around thanks to Leunen and the offensive futility of the Cougars. Washington State (20-5, 8-5) was held without a field goal for over seven minutes in the second half.

Leunen, who scored 11 of his 20 points in the second half and was the only Oregon player to score in double figures, saw the opportunity and capitalized.

He hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to help the Ducks pull within 47-46 with 3:49 remaining. But the 6-10 Baynes finally put a end to Washington State's drought with a layup to make it a three-point game at 49-46 with 3:24 left.

It was the Cougars' first field goal since the 10:48 mark.

Tajuan Porter sliced the lead to 52-49 with a layup, but Kyle Weaver found Baynes on a back-door cut and the big man dunked for a 54-49 lead with 1:32 remaining.

"Their guards find ways to get the ball to him," Leunen said of Baynes. "In the first half we played well on him, but in the last few minutes, he really made an impact."

Rochestie then hit four straight free throws and the Cougars sealed the game by hitting seven of their last 10 attempts from the line.

"This is a pretty tough loss," Leunen said. "It was a crucial game and we thought we could get a win. But, we're still not out of it (the conference race). We're right there, in control of our own destiny."

"I don't think we ran the offense that well tonight," said Oregon guard Malik Hairston, who scored just six points. "We were able to get some shots off and get the ball to Maarty, but we had a lot of turnovers. We didn't share the ball the way we should have."

The Cougars stiffling defense (55.6 points per game), held the Ducks to just 23 percent (4-of-17) from the arc.

"We know they are going to slow down the game, because that's the way they play. We like to get up and down the court, but Washington State plays it differently. You have to beat them at their own game."

"They controlled the tempo with their offense," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said. "They make you accountable possession by possession. You just don't have enough possessions to make many mistakes."