PACIFIC 10 CONFERENCE ROUNDUP : Arizona Gets Help From Rooks and Routs Washington State

Sean Rooks, a 6-11 sophomore, got Arizona off on the right track, scoring the 19th-ranked Wildcats’ first seven points to help send them on to an 81-61 victory over Washington State Saturday in a Pacific 10 game at Tucson.

Arizona (8-2, 3-2) took 15-3 lead and then built a 40-29 halftime advantage against the smaller Cougars (7-7, 1-3).

The Wildcats began the second half with a 15-2 run to put the game out of reach.

Rooks finished with 18 points and three blocked shots.

“Sean really came through for us in the starting spot, but we still need more rebounds from him,” Arizona Coach Lute Olson said. Rooks had only three rebounds.

Arizona used the full-court press and a tough zone defense to force 19 turnovers.

Washington State Coach Kelvin Sampson said his team practiced against the press but couldn’t emulate Arizona’s height and pressure on inbounds passes.

Arizona guard Harvey Mason said: “I think you’ll see us press more from now on because we like to tire the other team out.”

Washington State shot only 35.9% to Arizona’s 44.8%, and had 14 fewer rebounds.

The victory was Arizona’s 40th in a row at home, the nation’s current longest streak.

Arizona St. 63, Washington 48--Matt Anderson scored 18 points, Alex Austin added 17 and the Sun Devils made 10 three-point shots at Tempe.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Sun Devils (8-4, 2-2) and eighth win in the last nine games.

Washington (6-6, 1-3) was held to its lowest point total this season.