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Cougs go cold late, lose 66-64 to Oregon in overtime

Despite leading for most of the game, WSU could not score when it mattered most and lost 66-64 in overtime to Oregon.
Credit: James Snook
Mar 3, 2018; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Ernie Kent looks on during a game against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Payton Pritchard scored on a runner late in overtime and Kenny Wooten had a pair of blocked shots in the final 13 seconds, lifting Oregon to a 64-62 victory over Washington State in the opening round of the of the Pac-12 tournament on Wednesday night.

Washington State (12-19) led by three, but Troy Brown scored on a hard drive and Pritchard put Oregon (21-11) up 63-62 on his runner. After Wooten blocked Malachi Flynn's drive, Pritchard missed two free throws and Brown was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound.

Brown made 1 of 2 to give the Ducks a final chance, but Wooten swooped in to erase Milan Acquaah's drive just before the buzzer sounded.

Oregon moves on to play No. 3 seed Utah in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Pritchard and MiKyle McIntosh had 18 points each to help Oregon rally from a dismal first half.

Flynn had 22 points and Robert Franks added 16 for Washington State.

Oregon had a 20-win regular season and a winning record in the Pac-12, yet still is considered a fringe NCAA Tournament bubble team.

The Ducks need a good run in the conference tournament, possibly all the way to the title game.

The first step there was the second game against Washington State in six days. The Cougars won that game 78-76 behind a superb all-around game by Flynn.

Oregon's push didn't get off to a very good start. The Ducks missed their first six shots and didn't score in the opening 5:15.

Oregon continued to clang - 4 for 15 - and Washington State started to find the range after a slow start, building a 10-point lead.

The Cougars lost the range after that, going scoreless over the final 4:16 to allow the Ducks to keep within 24-17 at halftime despite shooting 7 of 24.

Oregon's struggles carried into the second half. The Ducks opened 2 for 11 from the floor and trailed by 11 in the early going.

Oregon kept the Cougars within reach behind its defense - more than 4 scoreless minutes - and pulled within 34-33 after going on a 12-2 run.

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