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First-place Washington hosts lowly Oregon

Feb 14, 2009 - 11:30 AM Oregon (6-18) at No. 24 Washington (18-6) 3:00 p.m. EST

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- A meeting with the worst team in the Pac-10 will likely help Washington solidify its spot atop the Pac-10.

After taking over first place in the conference, the 24th-ranked Huskies on Saturday host Oregon, which is desperate for a victory.

Justin Dentmon scored a season-high 28 points, hitting 8-of-11 shots, including seven 3-pointers, and added a career-high seven assists as the Huskies (18-6, 9-3 Pac-10) powered past Oregon State for a 79-60 victory on Thursday.

The win catapulted Washington, which is 13-2 at home this season, to the top of the Pac-10 after sixth-ranked UCLA suffered a 74-67 setback to No. 18 Arizona State also on Thursday.

The Huskies' hold on first place appears safe against the Ducks (6-18, 0-12), who have fallen to the bottom of the conference while enduring a winless conference season to date.

Oregon was denied yet another chance at its first Pac-10 win this campaign on Thursday, dropping a 67-38 decision to Washington State. The Ducks hit only 21 percent (10-of-48) from the field en route to a season-low in points.