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Washington State outlasts Arizona in overtime

Jan 7, 2007 - 8:01 AM PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) -- Daven Harmeling ended Washington State's long history of futility against Arizona.

Harmeling hit seven 3-pointers en route to a career-high 28 points as the Cougars outlasted seventh-ranked Arizona, 77-73, in overtime in a Pac-10 Conference matchup.

Washington State (14-2, 3-1 Pac-10) beat Arizona for the first time since January 30, 1986, ending a streak of 20 straight losses on its home floor and 41 of 42 defeats overall.

"We showed tremendous heart," Cougars coach Dick Bennett said. "It was a joy to be a part of the game. We lived and died all the way through it."

They almost died after a stunning turnaround in the final minute of regulation.

Harmeling hit five shots from the arc in the second half to help the Cougars take control down a stretch. Harmeling's final 3-pointer and two free throws by Kyle Weaver gave Washington State a 66-59 lead with 46 seconds to play.

However, the Cougars then endured a major meltdown, blowing the lead and almost seeing the Wildcats win it in regulation on their final possession. Arizona's Ivan Radenovic forced the extra session with a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left and missed another 3-point attempt to win it at the buzzer.

Washington State scored the first six points in overtime for a 73-67 lead, but again Arizona (12-2, 3-1) clawed back, cutting the deficit to two with 1:02 to play behind four straight points from Marcus Williams.

Derrick Low, who had a miserable shooting night, going 1-for-12 and 0-8 from 3-point range, buried two free throws with 33 seconds left and Chris Matthews scored on a breakaway layup to end Arizona's winning streak at 12 games.

"I thought the key to the game for Washington State was they showed great patience at both ends of the floor," Wildcats coach Lute Olson said.

Weaver scored 15 points and Robbie Cowgill 13 for the Cougars, who prevailed despite the rest of the team hitting just 2-of-19 from the arc.

"I thought in the first half we weren't looking to penetrate their zone and kick it," Bennett said. "We we just jacking threes.

Arizona came back from deficits of 11-2 and 19-9 to assume a 27-24 halftime lead. The offenses picked up in the second half, highlighted by a scoring duel between Williams and Harmeling.

At one point, Williams hit three straight layups only to see Harmeling counter with a dunk and back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Cougars a 51-46 lead with 8:01 to play.

Mustafa Shakur had 19 points and Williams added 18 for the Wildcats, who lost for the first time since the season opener at Virginia.

"One game doesn't make a season, but it is a great opportunity to inch up and take a step forward," Bennett said.