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Nov 23, 2003

Final Stats

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Marcus Moore scored 20 points to lead Washington State to a 57-51 victory over Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday night in the semifinals of the BP Top of the World Classic.

Moore shot 8-for-19 from the field and limited Nanooks' leading scorer Brad Oleson without a second-half field goal until just 3:41 remained in the game. It was the 20th time in his career Moore has scored 20 or more points.

Moore's steal and layup gave the Cougars (2-0) their biggest lead of the first half at 13-5 with 14:29 remaining. Oleson countered with a 3-pointer and sparked a 13-2 run that gave the Nanooks an 18-15 lead.

A baseline jumper by Oleson pushed the lead to 27-21 with 6:08 remaining, and the Division II Nanooks, the defending tournament champs, led 30-26 at the break.

Moore and Thomas Kelati, who finished with 14 points and shot 4-for-8 from 3-point range, led the way for the Cougars in the second half.

A free throw by Chris Schlatter broke a 44-all tie with 8:09 remaining and gave Washington State the lead for good.

"We have miles to go," WSU Head Coach Dick Bennett said. "But to get a win in a tight game will help our basketball team."

Bennett became the first WSU head coach to begin his Cougar career 2-0 since Len Stevens in 1983-84.

The win snapped a 27-game road losing streak for the Cougars. WSU's last win on the road prior to Saturday was 58-57 at Arizona State, Feb. 8, 2001.

Moore scored off an assist from Kelati, who followed with a 3-pointer for a 51-44 lead with 4:13 remaining.

The Nanooks closed within 51-48 on Oleson's baseline basket with 2:52 remaining, but Washington State closed out the game with free throws.

Oleson shot 4-for-5, including two 3-pointers, in the first half, but hit just three field goals in the second half and finished with 18 points.