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Updated: Friday, March 4, 2005 2:14 AM EST
NCAA BASKETBALL RECAP
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(10) Washington 106, California 73

BERKELEY, California (Ticker) -- For the second time this year, Washington guards Bobby Jones and Nate Robinson proved to be too much for California.

Jones scored 22 points and Robinson added 21 with five 3-pointers apiece as the 10th-ranked Huskies rolled to their fourth straight win, a 106-73 Pacific-10 victory over the Bears.

In their previous meeting, Jones and Robinson combined for 25 points in an 81-67 triumph in Seattle.

The Huskies (24-4, 14-3 Pac-10) hit 51 percent (39-of-76) of their shots, including a school-record 16 from the arc while moving into a tie with idle Arizona for first place in the Pac-10.

"Washington did a good job of fading off of screens and getting open looks," California coach Ben Braun said. "They really took advantage of all their opportunities."

With a win over Stanford in its season finale on Saturday, Washington would earn at least a share of the Pac-10 title for the first time since 1985.

Jones hit 7-of-11 shots, including 5-of-6 from the arc. Robinson was 7-of-12 from the floor for Washington.

Robinson also had four steals for the Huskies, who scored 26 points off of 18 turnovers by the Bears.

Tre Simmons produced 20 or more points for the third straight game, scoring 20 points with four 3-pointers.

Despite five players scoring in double figures for Washington, Braun felt there was one Huskies' player who did not get enough credit.

"I have to praise (guard Will) Conway who is an unsung hero on this Washington team," Braun said. "He didn't have any baskets but he came out and got 14 assists. He really demonstrates that there are so many ways that a player can help his team."

Washington trailed 17-16 just under seven minutes into the first half, but took control of the game with a 19-4 run over the next five-plus minutes.

"We got off to a really good start," Braun said of California's early lead. "Our intensity level was good and our spirit was good but it is hard when you are playing against the hottest team in the league."

Joel Smith's jumper at the 13-minute mark started the spree and Simmons scored the next eight points for Washington, hitting a pair of 3-pointers around a jumper. Robinson followed with two more 3-pointers to give the Huskies a 35-21 lead with 7:12 remaining in the first half.

Simmons scored 13 points in the first half and the Huskies made 11 3-pointers while taking a 55-36 lead at the intermission.

Rod Benson score 17 points and Marquise Kately and Ayinde Ubaka added 13 points each for California (12-15, 5-12), which has lost six in a row.


© 2005 STATS, Inc
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