Jan. 16, 2010
CORVALLIS, Oregon
By Dushan Mladenovic
Ty Abbott put down a career-high 21 points and Rihards Kuksiks added 18 to secure a 66-57 victory at Oregon State. After starting their Pac-10 schedule with two losses the Sun devils secured their fourth straight win.
ASU led by one at the half, but after a 22-7 run in the first eight minutes of the second half the Sun Devils pulled away. The Beavers cut their 14-point deficit to within four to make it 58-54 with 2:41 left but with Abbott scoring 18 of his 21 points in the second half, ASU held on for the win.
"I always knew we could be a team that could play with anybody in the Pac-10," Abbott said. "We've been here before, and now we realize we have a target on our backs. We have to stay with what got us to where we are now."
Abbott is averaging 17.3 points in the string of four straight victories.
"Ty responded like an All-American," commented senior guard Derek Glasser. "It seemed like he couldn't miss for about 10 minutes."
Oregon State's Calvin Haynes led his team with 17 points. "I don't think anybody's shot this well against them this year," Oregon State coach Craig Robinson said. The Beavers made 8-of-14 from behind the arc and shot 46.3 percent from the field.
The Sun Devils were without Jamelle McMillan due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
"Big-time gut check," said Coach Herb Sendek. "I was just so proud of the effort."
ASU advanced to 14-5, 4-2 in Pac-10 play. They have won five straight against Oregon State, three of those wins being in Corvallis, Oregon.