Cougars edged by Utes in overtime
<p>Washington State coach Ken Bone reacts to a foul called on his team during the first half Thursday night at Salt Lake City.</p>
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Josh Watkins scored 20 points and made the winning jumper in overtime as Utah got its first-ever Pac-12 conference win by beating Washington State 62-60 on Thursday night.
Jason Washburn had 11 points and Dijon Farr 10 before fouling out in regulation as the Utes (4-10, 1-1) rebounded from back-to-back losses of more than 30 points each.
Brock Motum had 27 points and eight rebounds and Faisel Aiden scored 11 points, but the Cougars (9-6, 1-2) couldn't overcome 10 of 22 free throw shooting and crucial turnovers.
In overtime, Washington State's Reggie Moore missed a jumper with 12 seconds left. Watkins rushed down the court, freed himself with a behind-the-back dribble and made a 14-foot jumper with 3.3 seconds remaining.
The Cougars had to go the full length of the court, and DaVon Lacy dribbled off his leg out of bounds with 1.5 seconds left. The Utes inbounded to Watkins, who threw the ball high in the air to run out the clock.
Motum made two free throws to give Washington State a 54-49 lead with 2:20 to play in regulation, but it didn't score again before overtime. Chris Hines made a 3-pointer off a Watkins assist, and Watkins made a pull-up jumper with 18 seconds left to knot the game at 54-54.
Motum made 10 of 12 shots, including all three 3-point attempts, one game after scoring 26 points in WSU's win over Oregon State. But the rest of the Cougars combined to go 11 for 36.
The Utes, who dress just one senior, lost their Pac-12 opener on Dec. 31 at Colorado, 73-33. In this game, their defense and tenacity chasing loose balls kept it close, even when they couldn't hit shots.
For just the third time this season, Utah led at halftime. Watkins scored 10 points, and the Utes had 10 points off Washington State turnovers to help stake a 29-23 advantage at intermission.
But the Utes committed turnovers on their first three possessions of the second half. Cedric Martin's tip-in gave Utah its last lead of regulation at 34-33 with 14:33 to play. Abe Lodwick sparked a quick 6-0 run for WSU, and the Utes had to play catch-up until the final minute.
Washington State plays at Colorado on Saturday.
WASHINGTON ST. (9-6)
Motum 10-12 4-6 27, Enquist 1-3 0-2 2, Capers 0-1 1-2 1, Moore 3-11 1-1 8, Lacy 1-4 2-4 4, Ladd 0-1 1-3 1, DiIorio 0-0 0-0 0, Aden 4-12 1-2 11, Shelton 0-1 0-2 0, Lodwick 2-3 0-0 6, Kernich-Drew 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-48 10-22 60.
UTAH (4-10)
Farr 5-9 0-0 10, Martin 2-4 0-0 5, Washburn 5-9 1-2 11, Hines 3-9 0-0 8, Watkins 7-18 4-6 20, Storey 2-4 0-2 4, Dawson 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 26-55 5-10 62.
Halftime_Utah 29-23. End Of Regulation_Tied 54. 3-Point Goals_Washington St. 8-15 (Motum 3-3, Lodwick 2-2, Aden 2-4, Moore 1-2, Capers 0-1, Lacy 0-3), Utah 5-20 (Watkins 2-7, Hines 2-8, Martin 1-3, Storey 0-2). Fouled Out_Farr. Rebounds_Washington St. 33 (Motum 8), Utah 33 (Martin 8). Assists_Washington St. 16 (Lodwick 4), Utah 15 (Watkins 6). Total Fouls_Washington St. 15, Utah 19. A_8,412.