Pacific Life Pac-10 tournament: Arizona leads Oregon State, 40-37, at halftime

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Arizona’s Derrick Williams had one of his usual amazing efforts, and somehow he wasn’t even the most dazzling player on the floor.

That distinction went to Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham, who single-handedly kept the Beavers within striking distance in the first half of their Pacific Life Pac-10 tournament quarterfinal against the Wildcats on Thursday afternoon at Staples Center.

Cunningham scored 19 points on seven-for-nine shooting for Oregon State, which trailed, 40-37, at halftime. He made two of three three-point attempts and had four steals and two rebounds.

The Beavers built an early seven-point lead and watched the momentum swing the other way, Arizona leading by as many as seven in the latter stages of the half. Williams had 16 points for Arizona, which shot 59.3% to Oregon State’s 53.6%.

The winner of this game advances to play USC in a semifinal on Saturday evening.

-- Ben Bolch