Jan. 12, 2002

Box Score

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Curtis Millage had a career-high 24 points and Tommy Smith tied a season-high with 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Arizona State to an 81-71 victory over Washington State on Saturday.

The Sun Devils (10-5, 3-3 Pacific 10 Conference) used a 20-9 run in the first half to pull away from the Cougars (4-10, 0-6 Pac-10), whose losing streak is now at eight games.

Marcus Moore led the Cougars with 23 points and was a school-record 16-of-16 from the free throw line.

The Sun Devils held the Cougars to 35 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from the 3-point line.

The Cougars' free-throw shooting helped keep the game from turning into a rout. Washington State was 27-of-30 from the line, and at one point held a 28-5 advantage in free throw attempts.

But Arizona State's defense stymied the Cougars most of the afternoon, allowing just eight field goals in the first half and 12 in the second.

Arizona State shot 57 percent from the field in the second half and 54 percent for the game.

Smith had 12 points and seven rebounds in the first half to go along with two blocked shots.

His presence in the paint limited the Cougars to mostly one-shot possessions and helped the Sun Devils stretch a 12-10 lead to 32-17 in seven-minute period in the first half.

The Cougars rallied early in the second half, cutting the Sun Devil lead to 48-44 with 15:17 remaining.

But Millage converted a three-point play to give the Sun Devils a 51-44 lead, and the Cougars never threatened again.