Published:Monday, December 1, 2008 11:56 AM PST
Serving the South Coast of Oregon

Beavers top Fresno on hardcourt
Monday, December 1, 2008 11:56 AM PST

FRESNO, Calif. — Oregon State snapped a 25-game losing streak and won its first game under first-year coach Craig Robinson in downing Fresno State 62-54 Sunday.

Oregon State (1-4) controlled the glass with a 34-26 rebounding advantage and held Fresno State (2-3) to 24.1 percent shooting in the second half.

Four Beavers scored in double figures, led by guard Rickey Claitt’s 14 points as the Beavers ran their patient and precise Princeton-style offense that flustered Fresno State. Oregon State also shot 8-for-14 on 3-pointers, including 7 of its first 11.

The Beavers, who trailed 40-39 in the second half, went on a 13-2 run for roughly five minutes to distance themselves.

It was Oregon State’s first win since beating Northern Colorado 65-56 on Dec. 19, 2007. Oregon State lost its first four games this season by an average of 3.5 points.

The university made a coaching change this offseason, hiring Robinson, the brother-in-law of president-elect Barack Obama. Robinson, a Princeton graduate and considered one of the top players in Ivy League history, coached at Brown last season.

Oregon State limited Fresno State to 37 percent from the field the entire game, including a mere 7-for-29 in the second half.

The teams were tied 31-31 at halftime.

No. 14 Arizona State 88, Texas El Paso 58

ANAHEIM, Calif. — James Harden scored a tournament-record and career-high 40 points for Arizona State in the third-place game of the 76 Classic.

Harden made 14 of 25 shots, 6-of-7 from 3-point range, and had eight rebounds and four assists for the Sun Devils (5-1).

Harden surpassed the tournament’s single-game scoring record for the second consecutive game; he had 32 points against Baylor on Friday night. The sophomore also set a record for most tournament points with 87.

Randy Culpepper scored 24 points for the Miners (3-3), who shot a season-low 30.2 percent. Stefon Jackson added 13 points.

No. 9 Gonzaga 83, No. 12 Tennessee 74

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Steven Gray scored 19 points and Matt Bouldin added 17 to lead Gonzaga to the Old Spice Classic championship.

Gonzaga led by 18 before Tennessee rallied to close to 77-71 on Cameron Tatum’s 3-pointer with just over a minute left. Micah Downs hit five of six free throws and Jeremy Pargo had a fast-break dunk to help the Bulldogs (4-0) hold on.

Tyler Smith scored 17 and reserves Scotty Hopson and Brian Williams each had a big game for the Volunteers (5-1). Hopson scored 16 and Williams had 15 rebounds.

Tennessee shot 36 percent and had 21 turnovers but outrebounded Gonzaga 50-26.

Josh Heytvelt had 15 points for the Bulldogs, who will play the Vols again on Jan. 7 in Knoxville.


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