There may be a new powerhouse in the PAC-12.Oregon State improved to 4-0 on the year as they dumped Texas in overtime, 100-95, in the semifinals of the TicketCity Legends Classic, handing the Longhorns their first defeat of the season.
Jared Cunningham poured in a career high 37 points, just three days after the 6'4" junior guard pumped in 35 in the Beavers' win over Hofsta.
The Longhorn defense couldn't cope with Cunningham's moves, sending him to the foul line 23 times. Cunningham made 20 from the stripe, to go with 8-for-18 shooting, including one 3-pointer, nine rebounds and three assists.
Averaging 26 points per game this season, Cunningham moved into a tie for third place among national scoring leaders, right behind the Longhorns' J'Covan Brown, who had 25 on the night and is second, with 29.3. Jamal Wilson of Rhode Island leads the nation at 31 points per game but has only played twice.
The Beavers will face #18 Vanderbilt, 86-79 winners over NC State, for the championship Monday night at the Izod Center. The Commodores got 28 points from John Jenkins (tied for 11th nationally at 23.0 points per game) in their win, setting up a Jenkins-Cunningham shoot-out in the final at the IZOD Center, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
