Ladd, Cougs hold off Beavers
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Mike Ladd was Washington State's go-to guy in the first half, and Brock Motum picked up the Cougars after halftime. But it was Royce Woolridge who made the big plays in the end, helping his team to its first road win of the season.
Woolridge scored Washington State's final seven points Saturday in a 71-68 victory.
The sophomore guard twice scored on lay-ins in the last 2 minutes after Oregon State (11-9, 1-6 Pac-12) had closed within two. His two free throws with 7 seconds left provided the final margin.
"I felt like it was my time to step up and show some poise and some leadership," Woolridge said, added that he felt as though he didn't do much the rest of the game. It had been lackluster for Woolridge, who finished 2 of 10 from the floor and scored nine points.
Ladd, a senior guard, scored a career-high 23 points for the Cougars (11-9, 2-5), including 17 in the first half. Motum, a senior forward, added 20 points - 16 in the second half - and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
Ahmad Starks had 17 points and tied a career high with eight assists for Oregon State. Starks was wide of the basket on a potential game-tying 3-pointer from the top of the arc in the closing seconds.
That followed Washington State's DaVonte Lacy's two missed free throws and Starks' layup with 7.9 seconds left to cut the Cougars' advantage to one.
"He had the fresher body because he was out of the game for a few minutes," Washington State coach Ken Bone said of Woolridge, who came in averaging 7.6 points per game. "Ladd was really fatigued, so were trying to get the ball in Royce's hands. It worked out well."
The Cougars host Arizona State on Thursday.
WASHINGTON ST. (11-9)
Motum 5-9 7-8 20, Shelton 2-10 0-0 5, Ladd 10-11 2-2 23, Lacy 1-8 0-2 3, Woolridge 2-10 5-6 9, Leavitt 0-0 0-0 0, DiIorio 1-2 0-0 2, Longrus 0-0 0-0 0, Kernich-Drew 4-6 0-0 9. Totals 25-56 14-18 71.
OREGON ST. (11-9)
Reid 0-2 0-2 0, Collier 4-5 6-9 14, Burton 2-5 0-0 4, Starks 7-13 1-1 17, Nelson 6-13 0-1 14, Robbins 0-0 0-0 0, Barton 0-1 0-0 0, Morris-Walker 3-4 0-0 9, Moreland 3-6 0-0 7, Schaftenaar 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 26-55 7-13 68.
Halftime_Oregon St. 33-29. 3-Point Goals_Washington St. 7-25 (Motum 3-5, Ladd 1-1, Kernich-Drew 1-2, Shelton 1-6, Lacy 1-7, Woolridge 0-4), Oregon St. 9-25 (Morris-Walker 3-4, Nelson 2-5, Starks 2-7, Moreland 1-1, Schaftenaar 1-6, Reid 0-1, Barton 0-1). Fouled Out_Moreland, Motum. Rebounds_Washington St. 39 (Motum, Shelton 10), Oregon St. 27 (Moreland 7). Assists_Washington St. 15 (Shelton 6), Oregon St. 17 (Starks 8). Total Fouls_Washington St. 14, Oregon St. 20. Technical_Oregon St. Bench. A_6,592.