• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Arizona State looks to bounce back

Feb 28, 2009 - 11:11 AM No. 11 Arizona State (21-6) at Washington State (15-13), 5:00 p.m. EST

PULLMAN, Washington (Ticker) -- After failing to move into first place in the Pac-10 Conference, No. 11 Arizona State hopes to avoid a second straight loss when it visits Washington State on Saturday.

The Sun Devils (21-6, 10-5 Pac-10) fell at Washington, 73-70, in overtime on Thursday when a win would have moved them one-half game up in the standings.

Jeff Pendergraph had 24 points and 13 rebounds and the conference's leading scorer, James Harden, had 19 before fouling out midway through the extra period.

Now 1 1/2 games back of Washington (12-4), Arizona State is hoping to avoid a second loss to Washington State, which won in the desert, 65-55, on January 29.

The Cougars (15-13, 7-9) have won consecutive games after losing seven of their previous nine contests.

Taylor Rochestie scored 17 points and freshman Klay Thompson had 16 as Washington State defeated Arizona, 69-53, on Thursday.

The contest matches the two top scoring defenses in the Pac-10. Washington State allows a league-low 55.0 points per game, while Arizona State surrenders 59.4.