Feb. 26, 2005
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Chris Schlatter sank a 3-point field goal with approximately nine seconds left to give Washington State a 57-55 victory Saturday over Arizona State.
Thomas Kelati led Washington State (11-14, 6-10 Pac-10) with 15 points. Jeff Varem added 13 to help the Cougars snap a four-game losing streak.
Ike Diogu led Arizona State (18-11, 7-10 Pac-10) with 19 points, and Kevin Kruger had 13. The other Sun Devils starters combined for six points. Reserve Tyrone Jackson missed a short running jump shot that would have tied the game in the final seconds.
Washington State led 31-19 after a dominant performance in the first half.
But the Sun Devils improved their defensive intensity in the second half. With 6:09 left in the game, Diogu made a hook shot that gave the Sun Devils their first lead at 44-43.
Arizona State would have clinched a berth in the Pac-10 Tournament with a victory. Its only remaining regular-season game is next Saturday at home against the Pac-10 leader, No. 9 Arizona (24-4, 14-3 Pac-10).
The Cougars were winless in their previous seven games that had been decided by three points or less.
Saturday's game was Senior Day at Friel Court, the final home game for Washington State's five seniors. Kelati, Varem and Schlatter were the only seniors in uniform, since Shami Gill and Isaiah Simmons are out with season-ending injuries.