January 30, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. - Third-ranked Stanford, in serious danger of losing for the second time in three nights, turned to defense to salvage a 73-63 victory over Arizona State on Saturday.
Peter Sauer had 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Kris Weems and Arthur Lee added 12 points apiece as the Cardinal (18-3, 8-1 Pac-10) sputtered offensively most of the game.
But tough defense during a late 16-0 run and a huge advantage at the free throw line pulled the game out for Stanford, which had lost its first conference game and had its 13-game winning streak snapped in a 78-76 loss at Arizona on Thursday night.
Eddie House scored 25 and Mike Batiste 21 for Arizona State (12-9, 4-5) but House managed only nine and Batiste five in the second half.
Arizona State led 56-50 with 10:42 to play but didn't score for the next 8 minutes, 22 seconds, committing five consecutive turnovers during one stretch.
Stanford, meanwhile, scored 16 in a row to build a 66-56 lead with 2:11 left. Jarron Collins had five points, including a three-point play, in the run and Arthur Lee capped the outburst with two free throws.
Arizona State's drought finally ended when Mike Batiste was fouled on a 3-point try and made two of the free throws to cut the lead to 66-58 with 1:59 to go.
Stanford was 31-for-43 at the foul line. Arizona State was 6-for-11.
Down by as many as 11 in the first half and trailing 37-31 at the break, Stanford outscored the Sun Devils 8-2 to start the second half to tie it at 39 on Sauer's inside basket with 18:14 remaining. Arthur Lee's 3-pointer from the corner gave the Cardinal a 46-45 lead with 15:12 left.
But Arizona State scored six in a row to go up 54-48 on Alton Mason's layup after a Stanford turnover with 11:15 to go. House's 17-footer put the Sun Devils up 56-50 with 10:21 remaining.
That was it for Arizona State's offense, though. Stanford outscored the Sun Devils 23-7 the rest of the way.
By BOB BAUM
AP Sports Writer