Porter leads Oregon to OT victory

Oregon's E.J. Singler yanks down a rebound against Washington State Wednesday in the Pac-10 men's basketball tournament. Oregon won, 82-80 in overtime. (Photo by Mario Villegas)

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor

Story Created: Mar 11, 2010 at 12:09 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 12:28 PM PST

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Senior point guard Tajuan Porter scored eight of his 32 points in overtime to lift Oregon past Washington State, 82-80 Wednesday at Staples Center in the first round of the Pac-10 men’s basketball tournament.

The heroics by Porter and forward E.J. Singler, whose tip-in at the buzzer sent the game into overtime, enabled the Ducks (16-15) to advance to Thursday’s 2:40 p.m. game against top-seeded California (21-9).

UCLA (13-17) and Arizona (16-14) play at 12:10 p.m. in the first of four games Thursday at Staples. Arizona State (22-9) and Stanford (13-17) face off at 6:18 and Washington (21-9) and Oregon State (14-16) play at 8:40.

Oregon coach Ernie Kent was effusive in his praise for Porter, who had a sensational second half and overtime.

“He’s a very special, gifted player and not only because of the points he scores,” Kent said. “It’s also the way he kept the team poised.”

Porter’s heroics would have meant nothing had not Singler (11 points, five rebounds) barely beat the final buzzer in regulation with his putback. It was so close, it took a review of replays by the officials before signalling the basket good.

Singler had no doubts he beat the clock.

“I definitely knew it was on time,” he said.

“It almost brought tears to my eyes when he made it,” Porter said.

Teondre Williams added 11 points for the Ducks.

Klay Thompson, who was 6-for-9 on 3-pointers, led Washington State (16-15) with 20 points. Marcus Capers (16), Brock Motum (14), Deangelo Casto (13) and Nikola Koprivica (10) also scored in double figures for the Cougars.

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