CORVALLIS, Ore. — Given the disappointment of the last few weeks, the Oregon State Beavers were going to revel in their victory over No. 20 Washington — just not too much.
The Beavers had lost three straight and six of seven going into what appeared to be a daunting start to the s
econd half of conference play. But with a focus on rebounding — and the desire to salvage the rest of the Pac-10 season — Oregon State pulled off a 68-56 upset on Tuesday night.
It was the Beavers’ first win over a ranked team since 2006.
“We don’t want to celebrate too much,” said Omari Johnson, who had a key layup down the stretch. “But be happy that we won and get our groove back.”
Scott Suggs had a career-high 18 points, including five 3-pointers for Washington (15-6, 7-3 Pac-10) which lost its second straight.
Coach Lorenzo Romar said the issue for the Huskies was defense.
“If we’re not disciplined on defense, that is on me. It’s my fault,” he said. “I have to get our guys to play better defense. We’re capable of doing it, we’ve done it before, but we’ve gotten away from it lately.”
Washington was coming off an 87-80 loss at rival Washington State on Sunday that dropped the team two spots in the rankings. All of the Huskies’ losses this season have come on the road.
Oregon State (9-12, 4-6) took a 58-52 lead on Johnson’s layup off an offensive rebound. After Isaiah Thomas made 2 of 3 free throws for the Huskies, Calvin Haynes made one for the Beavers.
Haynes’ layup and foul shot with 1:48 left extended it to 62-54 and put the Gill Coliseum crowd on its feet. The Beavers made free throws the rest of the way to put it away, snapping an eight-game winning streak for Washington in the series between the two teams.
Sophomore Jared Cunningham led the Beavers with 19 points. Haynes finished with 11 points and a career high seven rebounds, while Johnson had six points and 11 rebounds.
Overall, Oregon State outrebounded Washington 47-32.
“The game plan was to rebound, rebound and rebound,” Haynes said.
Thomas, Washington’s top scorer, was held to nine points and six assists. Matthew Bryan-Amaning had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“We’ve got to get better and it starts with defense,” Suggs said.
It was back-and-forth for much of the game.
Washington jumped out to an 11-4 lead but the Beavers were resilient and tied it at 13 on Johnson’s 3-pointer. Oregon State pulled ahead on Haynes’ fastbreak layup.
The Huskies got back in front after Terrence Ross’ dunk and Darnell Gants’s layup.
Devon Collier’s basket gave the Beavers their biggest lead of the first half at 26-22, but the Huskies kept the margin close and tied the game at 32 going into the break on Suggs’ 3-pointer.
Suggs made four 3-pointers in the first half alone and led both teams with 14 points at the half.
Ahmad Starks hit a jumper to give the Beavers a 36-32 lead early in the second half, but again Washington was able to answer and reclaimed the lead when Venoy Overton’s basket made it 39-37.
Midway through, Joe Burton’s layup and a pair of free throws made it 47-44 and it appeared that Oregon State might break away. But the Huskies would not allow the Beavers more than a three-point advantage until Burton’s long pass found Cunningham under the basket for a layup to make it 56-52 with 4:29 to go.
“Full team effort. Full team effort,” Oregon State coach Craig Robinson said.
Oregon State hadn’t defeated Washington since Feb. 22, 2007, a 73-65 victory in Corvallis.
The last time the Beavers beat a ranked team was Jan. 12, 2006, at home against No. 24 Arizona. The win snapped a 28-game losing streak to Top 25 teams.
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