CORVALLIS (AP) – Stephen Thompson Jr. said that with Oregon State down two and inbounding the ball with 3.3 seconds left, he thought about a game earlier in the season where he was fouled on a last-second shot and made the game winning free throws.
“I guess it gave me a little more confidence. We’ve been in that situation before,” Thompson said.
Thompson scored 18 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer just before the buzzer, as Oregon State defeated Washington 82-81 on Wednesday night.
On the final play, Thompson went the length of the court and heaved up a contested shot from the 3-point line.
“I was just trying to get as close to the basket as possible with the time that was left. I tried to elevate above the defender,” Thompson said.
He appeared to shuffle his feet prior to the shot but it was not called.
Washington coach Lorenzo Romar firmly said that Thompson walked while being defended by Dejounte Murray. “He travelled. They didn’t call it,” Romar said.
Drew Eubanks added 17 points with 13 rebounds, Gary Payton II had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, and Tres Tinkle scored 16 for the Beavers (16-10, 7-8 Pac-12).
“This is big for us, big win and a big shot in the arm,” Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said.
Thompson, a freshman, also gave the Beavers a 71-69 win against Utah on Feb. 4 when he was fouled on a half-court shot as time expired and made all three free throws.
Andrew Andrews scored 30 points and matched a career-high with six 3-pointers for the Huskies (16-12, 8-8), who have lost five of their last six. Murray scored 15 points and Marquese Chriss had 14 points.
“We did a lot of things that would allow you to win a ball game, but we don’t have anything to show for it,” Romar said.
The Huskies had a 77-72 lead with 2:25 left.
A Eubanks layup trimmed the Huskies’ lead to 79-75 with one minute remaining. It was the Beavers first field goal in about nine minutes. Washington turned the ball over on its next possession and Tinkle made a contested shot with his toe on the 3-point line with 22 seconds left for the Beavers.
David Crisp was fouled with 20.5 seconds left and made 1 of 2 free throws for an 80-77 lead.
Payton inbounded the ball to Tinkle, but officials ruled Tinkle was fouled before he could shoot. He made both free throws, and Andrews was fouled.
Andrews made 1 of 2 at the stripe, and the Beavers inbounded the ball to Thompson.
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TIP INS
Washington: Ten of the Huskies’ Pac-12 games have been decided by five points or fewer, tops in the conference. … The Huskies’ roster, with seven freshmen, is the fifth youngest in Division I.
Oregon State: Through last week, the Beavers had the fourth-toughest schedule in the nation. … Oregon State clinched a winning record for the second straight season. The last time the Beavers had a winning record in back-to-back years was in 1989-90.
LAST SHOT
Tinkle said the last play was a curl screen for Thompson. During the timeout, “We said three seconds was an eternity. … We said we were going to make the shot to win it,” Tinkle added.
O BOARDS
Oregon State had 15 offensive rebounds compared to two for the Huskies, and that led to 21 second-chance points. With Washington switching on defense in the first half, Eubanks had five put-back baskets.
NEXT UP
Washington: Plays at No. 13 Oregon on Sunday.
Oregon State: Hosts Washington State on Sunday.
– Associated Press