PULLMAN — DeAngelo Casto scored 19 points and blocked three shots as Washington State beat Arizona 78-60 on Saturday, knocking the Wildcats out of a tie for first place in the Pac-10.
Klay Thompson had 14 points and Reggie Moore 12 points for the Cougars (15-8, 5-6), who had lost three straight. Washington State dominated the rebounding, 36-24, and held Arizona to 42 percent shooting to sweep the season series.
Derrick Williams scored 16 points for Arizona (12-11, 6-5), which was coming off a narrow loss at Washington that ended a four-game winning streak. The Wildcats were tied for first with three other teams heading into Saturday’s games.
It was Arizona’s first game since the university announced Friday that it had placed its men’s basketball program on probation for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons for violations by Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson related to an offseason AAU tournament in 2008.
Washington State enjoyed a big free throw advantage, making 23 of 28 while Arizona made 10 of 13.
The Cougars led by six at halftime, and scored the first seven points of the second half for a 39-26 lead. But Nic Wise hit a 3-pointer to cap a 9-1 run that brought Arizona within 40-35.
Little-used Washington State reserve Brock Motum had two baskets as the Cougars rebuilt a 48-37 lead with 11 minutes left. Motum finished with 10 points.
The Cougars maintained the lead, although six straight points brought the Wildcats within 62-56 with five minutes left. Reggie Moore replied with a pair of free throws and Nikola Koprivica buried a 3-pointer and a layup as Washington State built the lead back to 69-56 and coasted to victory.
Washington State got off to another slow start, a condition that has plagued the team this Pac-10 season. The Cougars made just two of their first 11 shots and trailed 12-6. But a 12-4 run put them ahead 18-16 midway through the first. The teams traded baskets until the Cougars closed the first with an 8-2 run for a 32-26 halftime lead.
Arizona, after making five of its first seven shots, was just four of 20 the rest of the half. The Wildcats were outrebounded 23-14 in the first.
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