Late foul costs Cougars

PULLMAN (AP) - Washington State's Brock Motum believes taking No. 23 Oregon to overtime in a 79-77 loss on Saturday is proof that the last-place Cougars have not given up on the season.

"The losses column is adding up now, and we could easily turn our backs on ourselves and our coaches," Motum said. "Today we fought back."

The team has five games left and the Pac-12 tournament, Motum said.

"A lot of teams can underestimate us because of our record," Motum said.

Oregon, which is first in the Pac-12, is not likely to underestimate the Cougars should the teams meet again in the conference tournament.

Washington State led by 18 points early, and 11 points at halftime, before the Ducks were able to mount a comeback.

Oregon's E.J. Singler was prepared for a lot of possible scenarios as he dribbled the ball up the court with the Ducks and Washington State tied in the final seconds of overtime.

What he didn't expect was WSU's Dexter Kernich-Drew to reach out and foul him.

Singler sank both free throws with 3.8 seconds left in overtime for the winning points.

"Some of the guys were calling 'foul,' so I don't think he knew what the score was," said Singler, who finished with 25 points. "I was shocked."

Washington State players and coaches rallied around Kernich-Drew, saying one mistake did not cause the defeat.

"It was just a mistake," Motum said. "It's in the past now. He needs to keep his head up."

"If not for him we wouldn't have been in the game," Washington State coach Ken Bone said of Kernich-Drew, who had several key baskets.

Carlos Emory added 20 points for Oregon (21-5, 10-3).

Royce Woolridge scored a career-high 36 points for Washington State (11-15, 2-11), losers of six straight. Woolridge missed a half-court shot as time expired.

The score was tied at 71 at the end of regulation.

Washington State, which is 0-5 against ranked opponents this season, plays at Arizona State on Wednesday.

OREGON (21-5)

Kazemi 2-2 4-5 8, Singler 6-11 9-10 25, Woods 1-3 0-0 2, Loyd 2-6 0-2 4, Dotson 6-17 2-3 16, Richardson III 0-0 0-0 0, Austin 2-4 0-0 4, Moore 0-1 0-0 0, Carter 0-0 0-0 0, Emory 7-13 5-9 20. Totals 26-57 20-29 79.

WASHINGTON ST. (11-15)

Motum 3-10 6-9 12, Shelton 2-7 3-4 9, Lacy 2-9 1-2 6, Woolridge 10-15 10-11 36, Kernich-Drew 3-7 0-0 9, Leavitt 1-2 3-4 5, DiIorio 0-1 0-0 0, Longrus 0-1 0-1 0. Totals 21-52 23-31 77.

Halftime_Washington St. 38-27. End Of Regulation_Tied 71. 3-Point Goals_Oregon 7-24 (Singler 4-8, Dotson 2-6, Emory 1-5, Moore 0-1, Loyd 0-4), Washington St. 12-28 (Woolridge 6-9, Kernich-Drew 3-6, Shelton 2-6, Lacy 1-5, Motum 0-2). Fouled Out_Kernich-Drew. Rebounds_Oregon 39 (Kazemi 12), Washington St. 32 (Shelton 10). Assists_Oregon 10 (Loyd 7), Washington St. 13 (Woolridge 5). Total Fouls_Oregon 20, Washington St. 19. Technical_Washington St. Bench. A_5,216.