For 27 minutes on Saturday in Pullman, Washington State gave Oregon all it could handle.
With 12:48 left in the second half, the Cougars and the Ducks were still locked in a tight back-and-forth game. Up 50-48, Roman Sorkin drilled a wide-open three-pointer that sparked a 13-4 run and proved to be the beginning of the end of the Cougars’ stand.
What once was a close game soon turned into another blowout victory — this one 85-66 — for Oregon.
Chris Boucher led the Ducks with a career-high 29 points (11-15 FGs, 6-9 threes), eight rebounds and three blocks. His 11 first-half points kept the Ducks tied with the Cougars entering halftime despite the ejection of Dillon Brooks seven minutes into the game. The Ducks star received a flagrant 2 for kicking Washington State’s Josh Hawkinson in the groin after fighting for a rebound.
Dillon Brooks kicks Josh Hawkinson where the sun doesn’t shine as he falls to the ground. Flagrant 2 assessed. pic.twitter.com/ISjSVGn30y
— Preston Hiefield (@PC_Hiefield) January 8, 2017
While the ejection doesn’t carry over into the next game, the Pac-12 will review the play and determine whether Brooks can against Oregon State next week.
The Cougars tried their best to capitalize on the Brooks’ absence but Oregon weathered every run that Washington State could muster. Oregon shot 54 percent from the field and 52 percent (13-25) from deep.
Dylan Ennis contributed 17 points (4-6 from three) and 7 assists; Jordan Bell chipped in 11 points. Washington State had four players score in double digits but none had more than 12.
Follow Gus Morris on Twitter @JustGusMorris