WSU Downed By Arizonan 65-55

PULLMAN, Wash. – The No. 17 Washington State Cougars couldn’t stop Arizona’s potent 1-2 punch of Chase Budinger and freshman Jerryd Bayless tonight, losing to the Wildcats 65-55.

Budinger scored 22 points and Bayless had all 20 of his points in the second half.

Jordan Hill added 13 for the Wildcats, who avoided a third straight loss and ended a four-game Cougars winning streak. The Wildcats are trying to keep alive their streak of 23 straight NCAA tournament appearances.

Taylor Rochestie scored 14 points, Derrick Low added 12, and Kyle Weaver had 10 for the cold-shooting Cougars, who hit just 17-of-50 (34 percent) of their shots.

Arizona, meanwhile, hit 23-of-46 shots, including 8-of-14 3-pointers to make several runs after the Cougars came close.

Arizona swept Washington State this season. The Wildcats won 76-64 in Tucson on Jan. 24.

The Cougars dropped to 9-6 in the Pac-10 and 21-6 overall.

Arizona held a 24-23 lead at the half.