UCLA holds off Washington State

PULLMAN (AP) - Reeves Nelson scored 23 points, and Malcolm Lee hit four free throws in the closing seconds of overtime to lift UCLA to a 58-54 victory over wounded Washington State on Saturday.

Arizona's victory earlier in the day prevented UCLA (22-9, 13-5 Pac-10) from having a chance to tie the Wildcats for the Pac-10 title.

Washington State (19-11, 9-9) played without suspended star Klay Thompson and injured point guard Reggie Moore (ankle). But it nearly managed to break a home losing streak to UCLA that now stands at 18.

Cougars coach Ken Bone said he will decide in the next few days if Thompson, the Pac-10's leading scorer at 21 points per game, will play in next week's conference tournament. He was suspended after being cited for marijuana possession Thursday.

UCLA coach Ben Howland warned his team that the Cougars were likely to come out strong.

"Games like this are tough," Howland said. "They banded together in adversity."

Faisal Aden hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 54 with 1:17 left.

The Bruins turned it over on a shot clock violation, but the Cougars gave it right back, and Lee was fouled while going for a layup with 6.9 seconds left. He made both for a 56-54 lead. Washington State turned over the ball on the inbounds play and had to foul. Lee made both shots for the final points.

Thompson walked onto the floor in street clothes just before tipoff and took the microphone. He apologized to fans in a brief statement.

"I made a mistake," Thompson said to the roaring crowd, then was embraced by teammates and sat on the end of the bench for the game.

Of Thompson's statement, Bone said, "It was something he wanted to do. I think it came from the heart."

Nelson made 10 of his 13 shots. Lee finished with 11 points, making all seven of his free throws.

Bone said the loss of two of his team's best players meant the remaining players played a lot of minutes.

"We were pretty effective early on," said Bone said, whose team led 32-19 at halftime. "We were not as effective in the second half, when I think our legs were tired."

Aden played 42 minutes and sank just four of 17 shots. He missed a key free throw at the end of regulation that might have given WSU the win.

"It's hard for him to go 42 minutes," Bone said of the slender Aden.

Brock Motum led WSU with 15 points, while Aden finished with 14.

At halftime, Howland said he warned his team that its NCAA tournament hopes were at stake.

"I put it on the shoulders of my team, and they raised their intensity defensively," Howland said.

The Bruins opened the second half with an 11-1 run to get within 33-30 on Lee's basket. Honeycutt's 3-pointer for UCLA tied the game at 35.

The score was tied at 48 at the end of regulation. Nelson scored two baskets for the Bruins, and Aden made one of two free throws as UCLA took a 52-49 lead.

Tyler Honeycutt scored for the Bruins, and WSU's Abe Lodwick replied for a 54-51 UCLA lead.

Washington State used nearly all the clock at the end of regulation, and Aden was fouled and made one of two free throws with 14 seconds left for a 48-46 lead.

Lee drove to the basket and was fouled be DeAngelo Casto with 8.9 seconds left. He made both to tie the score at 48.

Aden missed a long jumper at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

UCLA has a 99-14 lead in the series.