3/6/2008

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Jerryd Bayless scored 20 points, Chase Budinger had 17 and Arizona beat Oregon State 81-45 Thursday night to strengthen its bid to make a 24th straight NCAA Tournament.

Jordan Hill added 16 points and Nic Wise returned from a knee injury to score 15 for Arizona (18-12, 8-9 Pac-10).

Lathen Wallace had 11 points and Rickey Claitt had 10 to lead the Beavers (6-23, 0-17), who shot 32 percent and lost their 19th straight game. Oregon State would become the first Pac-10 team ever to go winless in conference play with a loss Saturday to Arizona State.

The Wildcats entered the game having lost six of their last eight in the conference, but their tournament resume is boosted by a difficult schedule.

Oregon State, which has used 16 different starting lineups this season, led 12-9 before getting out Arizona's way. The Wildcats used a 12-0 run to take a 23-12 advantage and then, after two Beaver baskets, went on a 13-0 run. They led 40-18 at halftime.

Arizona kept running well into the second half, with the listless Beavers failing to get back on defense and finishing the night with 20 turnovers. Jawann McClellan's uncontested alley-oop layup made it 66-28 midway through the second half.

The Wildcats made their first 19 free throws and finished 19 of 21 from the line. They shot 50 percent from the field.

It was the fifth time this season that Oregon State failed to score 50 points.

The Wildcats have won 45 of the last 51 meetings between the teams, dating back to coach Lute Olson's arrival in 1983-84. Olson is taking a leave of absence this season and assistant Kevin ONeill has been coaching the team.