CORVALLIS, Ore. – Ugly never looked so beautiful to Lorenzo Romar than in Washington’s bruising, foul-filled victory Sunday afternoon at steamy Gill Coliseum.
“Although the games, the wins, may not look pretty, somehow we’ve been able to get ’em,” Romar said outside the Huskies’ locker room following a 75-72 win over Oregon State.
Washington has gained a reputation in recent years for being a talented, athletic team that often dominates at home and occasionally disappears on the road. The Huskies, 13-2 at home, dropped to 3-6 on the road Thursday when they were clearly outplayed and outfought in an 82-57 loss at Oregon.
“Five years from now and we win five national championships, (people will ask), ‘What happened Thursday against Oregon?’ ” Romar joked.
“We were poor, and they were very good.”
Romar said he was “very pleased” with the Huskies’ renewed vigor, focus and grit Sunday in a physical contest played in front of a lively OSU crowd.
The Huskies shot a season-low 34.8 percent from the field, but they outrebounded the Beavers 47-41 and made just 11 turnovers against one of the nation’s team leaders in steals and forced turnovers.
“I think we’re confident we’re getting this road thing figured out – other than the Oregon game,” Washington guard C.J. Wilcox said.
BENCH DELIVERS
The Huskies’ reserves, led by the 17 points of Wilcox, outscored Oregon State’s substitutes, 24-7.
“Their bench just did a better job,” OSU center-forward Angus Brandt said.
Oregon State coach Craig Robinson said the Huskies are “very deep” and “the most talented” team in the Pacific-12 Conference.
ROSS ROLLS
Huskies star Terrence Ross continues to produce big-time after halftime, scoring 12 of his 21 points Sunday after the break.
“I feel my endurance is key,” Ross said. “Too many players aren’t in shape.”
ROBINSON PLEASED
Robinson has complained about the lack of vocal leaders on his team, which has just one senior, little-used walk-on Kevin McShane.
Robinson had no complaints Sunday.
“This is a tough game for the guys in the locker room, because I thought their effort was terrific,” Robinson said.
Brandt said the loss was “kind of heartbreaking. I think all the guys have their heads up and can walk away proud.”
LINEUP CHANGE
Robinson, who said the Huskies are “chock-full of potential NBA guys” in the backcourt, countered Washington’s three-guard lineup by giving freshman guard Challe Barton his first start.
Barton, who hails from Sweden, replaced forward Joe Burton in the starting lineup. Both players went scoreless in limited minutes.
SCOUTS WATCHING
A handful of NBA scouts attended the game.
Chad Ford, the NBA draft expert for ESPN, lists Ross (a sophomore wing) as the 15th-best prospect for the 2012 draft. Freshman combo guard Tony Wroten of Washington is No. 19 on Ford’s list.
OSU junior wing Jared Cunningham, who plans to move to point guard in the pros, is 77th on Ford’s list.
All three players maintain they have yet to decide whether they will turn pro after this season.
JOKESTER ROMAR
Romar was quite animated on the sideline, prompting a reporter to ask the coach if he worked harder than usual.
When Romar jokingly suggested the reporter was implying he doesn’t always work his hardest, another reporter deadpanned, “I thought you took the Northridge game off.”
A smiling Romar immediately replied, “How about the Oregon game?”
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