Men's Basketball Downs Washington State
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November 22, 1998
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – Donald Hand scored 23 points, including five free throws down the stretch, to propel Virginia to a 62-53 victory over Washington State on Sunday to secure seventh place in the Top of the World Classic.
The Cavaliers (2-2) had built up an 18-point lead seven minutes into the second half against the struggling Cougars, but then their offense went onhiatus for 11 minutes.
Washington State (1-3) tore off 15 straight to close within 50-47. Hand hit a three-pointer at 2:24, and the Cougars’ Chris Crosby came back with one of his own behind the arc.
Virginia’s Chris Williams then made four straight at the free-throw line and Hand drained five more to provide the Cavaliers with a comfortable cushion.
Williams scored 15 and grabbed seven rebounds for Virginia and Willie Dersch had 10.
Eddie Miller led the Cougars with 15 and Kojo Mensah-Bonsu added 14. Both players also had seven boards.
A three-pointer by Jan-Michael Thomas staked the Cougars to a 7-2 lead in the opening minutes, but the Cavaliers followed with a 17-6 run.
Washington State pulled as close as three on a pair of Miller free throws at 5:37 in the half. Virginia then took over again, outscoring its opponent 13-4 to finish the half up 35-23.
Miller led all scorers in the half with 12, while Hand had 11 for the Cavaliers.