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Washington State turns back California

Jan 12, 2007 - 7:44 AM BERKELEY, California (Ticker) -- Washington State is showing that its national ranking is no fluke.

Daven Harmeling, Ivory Clark and Kyle Weaver scored 14 points apiece as the 23rd-ranked Cougars defeated California, 73-56, in a Pac-10 matchup.

Entering the rankings this week for the first time since 1983, Washington State (15-2, 4-1 Pac-10) celebrated by beating Cal for just the second time in the last 11 meetings.

Picked to finish last in the conference's preseason poll, the Cougars have won four straight games since a 55-52 loss at then-No. 1 UCLA. The last time Washington State ran off four league victories in a row was the 1995-96 season.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Cougars as Robbie Cowgill and Derrick Low had 11 points apiece.

"I thought when California did have some breakdowns defensively, we took advantage," Washington State coach Dick Bennett said. "When you have five guys score in double figures, that is significant for us."

Washington State jumped out to a 17-5 lead en route to a 40-28 halftime advantage. The Cougars shot 55 percent (16-of-29) in the opening 20 minutes and stretch the margin to 49-33 4 1/2 minutes into the second half.

The Golden Bears whittled the deficit to 56-46 on freshman Ryan Anderson's 3-pointer with 7:45 to play, but Clark answered with a dunk and Harmeling connected from the arc to build the lead to 61-56 with 6:00 left.

"I liked how we answered the bell when California got back within 10 points in the second half," Bennett said. "We kept our poise."

Washington State finally blew the game open with a late 9-0 run to build a 72-50 lead. Clark, who scored 11 points in the second half, capped the surge with a three-point play.

The Cougars, who were coming off a 77-73 overtime victory over then-No. 7 Arizona on Saturday, shot 58 percent (29-of-50) from the field.

Bennett lauded the play of Weaver, who also had 10 assists and six rebounds.

"I loved how he got us started in the post," Bennett said. "He's such a complete player. When he is alert and focused on both ends of the floor, he is a big plus for us."

Anderson scored 17 points and Ayinde Ubaka added 16 for the Bears (10-6, 2-2), who shot 7-of-29 from the arc and had their two-game winning streak snapped.