Inspired Brockman sparks UW
SEATTLE – Jon Brockman had little mercy Saturday. Playing as physical and spirited a game as Hec Edmundson Pavilion has seen from anyone in some time, the former Snohomish star was physical with Oregon State players, his Washington teammates, the Hec Ed court itself and even an unfortunate UW cheerleader who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The result of Brockman’s effort, which included a career-high-tying 25 points, was a 91-74 Washington basketball win over Oregon State which sends the Huskies back on the road with a bit of momentum.
Washington, which upset No. 7 Oregon on Thursday, improved to 13-1 at home this year. That hasn’t been the issue. The problems start when the Huskies are away from home, where they are 0-6. They hope to change that as they travel to Arizona State and Arizona this weekend.
“We’ve got to get that road win,” said sophomore guard Justin Dentmon, who followed his career night against Oregon by having 17 points and seven rebounds against OSU. “We’ve still got to get it done. If we get that road win, we’ll be satisfied.”
If Washington follows Brockman’s lead, it should at least find itself competitive against the Arizona schools. The 6-foot-7, 260-pound sophomore power forward showed the kind of physical play that has marked his two-year UW career.
Never was Brockman more energetic than a 15-second spurt in the first half. After Dentmon dove to the floor to send the ball rolling to the backcourt, Brockman charged after it, diving on his stomach several feet only to have the ball end up just beyond his reach. He then jumped to his feet, raced back down the court, leaped to intercept a pass and went three-quarters of the court the other direction for a powerful dunk, giving Washington its first lead of the game.
Brockman, though, wasn’t done. Shortly after his belly-flop and dunk, he chased full speed after a loose ball, carrying him down one of the tunnels and bumping a cheerleader to the ground in the process.
For all Brockman’s hustle, it wasn’t enough to allow the Huskies to take control until the second half. Sloppy offense by Washington allowed Oregon State to stay in the game, trailing just 41-38 at halftime.
Josh Tarver had 22 points and seven assists to pace the Beavers.
Washington 91, OSU 74
Oregon State (9-13, 1-8)—Jones 3-5 4-10 11, Cuic 3-12 2-6 9, Jeffers 7-8 0-0 14, J.Tarver 8-13 3-6 22, Washington 0-0 0-0 0, Hampton 1-1 2-4 4, Schaftenaar 1-2 0-0 2, S.Tarver 2-7 1-4 5, McGillis 3-5 0-2 7, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-53 12-32 74.
Washington (13-7, 3-6)—Brockman 9-12 7-8 25, Nelson 5-9 0-0 12, Wallace 0-2 1-2 1, Dentmon 5-9 7-8 17, Appleby 1-5 2-2 5, Oliver 3-4 0-0 7, Hawes 6-11 1-1 13, Burmeister 1-5 0-0 3, Gasser 0-1 0-0 0, Pondexter 2-3 4-4 8. Totals 32-61 22-25 91.
Halftime—Washington 41, Oregon State 38. 3-point goals—Oregon State 6-15 (J.Tarver 3-7, Jones 1-1, Cuic 1-3, McGillis 1-3, S.Tarver 0-1), Washington 5-14 (Nelson 2-4, Oliver 1-2, Appleby 1-3, Burmeister 1-4, Gasser 0-1). Fouled out—Dentmon. Rebounds—Oregon State 23 (Jeffers, Jones 4), Washington 41 (Brockman 8). Assists—Oregon State 15 (J.Tarver 7), Washington 18 (Appleby 6). Total fouls—Oregon State 20, Washington 25. A—10,000.