Box Score

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

STANFORD, Calif. - Josh Childress scored 10 points in an impressive season debut and No. 5 Stanford remained unbeaten while coach Mike Montgomery served a one-game suspension, beating Washington State 73-51 Friday night.

Justin Davis had 13 points for the Cardinal (10-0), who finally had the use of their full roster - including Childress, a star forward last season who's been sidelined this season with a left foot injury.

Childress, the Pac-10's second-leading rebounder last season, played just 7 minutes but led a second-half surge in Stanford's 15th consecutive victory over Washington State in the Pac-10 opener for both teams.

Montgomery served the first Pac-10 suspension of his career for making contact with an official during a game against Arizona State late last season. Assistant Tony Fuller smoothly ran the team as Montgomery missed his first game in 18 seasons with the Cardinal.

But Stanford had little trouble with Washington State (6-5), which has lost 36 of its last 39 conference games. Marcus Moore had 15 points and six assists, but the Cougars never got within 10 points of the Cardinal in the second half of coach Dick Bennett's Pac-10 debut.

Rob Little had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Matt Lottich added 10 points and seven assists for the Cardinal.

Childress, his hair at its usual exorbitant height, got a standing ovation from the sellout crowd when he checked in midway through the first half. He missed his first shot, but the crowd roared again when he blocked Jeff Varem's shot moments later.

Stanford never trailed, maintaining a comfortable lead while shooting 60 percent in the first half. The Cardinal held Washington State scoreless in the final 5:10 before halftime, taking a 37-23 lead.

The Cougars made a 10-0 run midway through the second half, pulling within 51-41 on Chris Schlatter's 3-pointer with 10:22 left. But after Joe Kirchofer hit a hook shot, Childress made a 3-pointer from the corner, then grabbed a difficult offensive rebound and scored on the Cardinal's next possession.

Stanford's Chris Hernandez missed a free throw with 15:12 to play, ending his streak of 31 straight. Hernandez, the Pac-10 leader, had missed just one free throw all season.