Washington beats Oregon State, improves to 7-0 in Pac-12

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Nahziah Carter had highlight-reel dunks and 18 points with three steals as Washington used suffocating defense to beat Oregon State 79-69 on Saturday.

Jaylen Nowell scored 19 points with three 3-pointers and David Crisp had 14 points for the Huskies (16-4, 7-0 Pac-12).

Stephen Thompson Jr. had 30 points with six 3-pointers and Tres Tinkle added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Beavers (12-7, 4-3 Pac-12).

The Huskies’ zone stifled Oregon State, forcing the Beavers into 44 percent shooting and 15 turnovers. Washington scored 25 points off those turnovers, shot 58 percent from the field and had 12 turnovers.

Washington forced five early turnovers and took an 11-0 lead after a Matisse Thybulle steal and breakaway dunk at the 17:01 mark.

A 7-0 run – including a ferocious dunk and-one by Carter over rim protector Kylor Kelley, then a Carter steal and dunk on the next possession – put the Huskies up 22-7 with 11:38 remaining in the first half.

Washington led 40-27 at the break.

The Huskies led by as many as 21 in the second half, and late Thompson 3-pointers made the score seem more respectable.

Thybulle, the reigning Pac-12 defensive player of the year, finished with 11 points and five steals.

BIG PICTURE

Washington: The Huskies last started 7-0 in league play in 1952-53, when they went 14-0 to begin conference action and advanced to the Final Four. . Washington are receiving votes in The AP poll. Three of the Huskies’ losses are to ranked teams, and a road performance like Saturday’s could help perception about the squad.

Oregon State: There was no “Stevie” miracle this time. The last two games against the Huskies at Gill Coliseum, Thompson hit game-winning 3-pointers, including a dagger in double overtime last season.

UP NEXT

Washington: Hosts Southern California on Wednesday.

Oregon State: At Colorado on Thursday.