SportsJanuary 3, 2004

Associated Press

STANFORD, Calif. -- Josh Childress scored 10 points in his first action of the year and No. 5 Stanford remained undefeated while coach Mike Montgomery served a one-game suspension, beating Washington State 73-51 Friday night.

Justin Davis had 13 points for the Cardinal (10-0), who finally had the use of their full roster -- including Childress, a star forward last season who's been sidelined this year with a left foot injury.

Childress, the Pac-10's second-leading rebounder last season, played just 7 minutes but led a second-half surge in Stanford's 15th consecutive victory over Washington State. The game served as the Pac-10 opener for both teams.

"I could have been more effective, that's how I have to look at it," Childress said. "But I was pleased with the way I played. I'm not hesitant. I may be a little bit slower, but I force myself to be aggressive."

Montgomery was hit with the first suspension of his career for making contact with an official during a game against Arizona State late last season. Assistant Tony Fuller ran the team as Montgomery missed his first game in 18 seasons with the Cardinal.

But Stanford had little trouble with Washington State (6-5), which has lost 36 of its last 39 conference games. The Cardinal outrebounded the Cougars 34-18 while smoothly executing their offense.

"Our guys are so well-drilled, even though they know their leader isn't here, they still do their jobs exactly the way they're coached," Fuller said. "We have, obviously, very intelligent young men out there."

Marcus Moore had 15 points and six assists, but the Cougars never got within 10 points of the Cardinal in the second half of coach Dick Bennett's Pac-10 debut.

"They don't give you anything on defense," Bennett said. "They were dominating on the glass. Of course, we labor to score and rebound, and those are two fairly important facets of the game."

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The Cougars' 51 points were their fewest in a Pac-10 opener since the 1983-84 season. Washington State has lost 41 straight to ranked opponents.

Rob Little had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Matt Lottich added 10 points and seven assists for the Cardinal.

Childress, his hair at its usual exorbitant height, got a standing ovation from the sellout crowd when he checked in midway through the first half. He missed his first shot, but the crowd roared again when he blocked Jeff Varem's shot moments later.

WASHINGTON STATE (6-5)

Schlatter 3-4 0-0 8, Gill 3-6 0-0 6, Bellegarde 0-0 1-2 1, Moore 6-13 3-4 15, Kelati 3-7 0-0 8, Green 0-2 0-0 0, Grant 1-3 0-0 3, Paterick 1-1 0-0 3, Ukeagu 2-5 1-2 5, Varem 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 20-46 5-8 51.

STANFORD (10-0)

Robinson 3-5 0-0 7, Davis 4-7 5-8 13, Little 5-6 0-1 10, Hernandez 2-3 3-4 9, Lottich 4-10 0-0 10, Kirchofer 1-2 0-0 2, Childress 4-5 1-1 10, Grunfeld 2-5 0-0 4, Haas 0-0 1-2 1, Washington 1-1 2-2 4, Haryasz 1-4 1-2 3. Totals 27-48 13-20 73.

Halftime--Stanford 37-23. 3-Point goals--Washington St. 6-12 (Schlatter 2-2, Kelati 2-3, Paterick 1-1, Grant 1-3, Green 0-1, Moore 0-2), Stanford 6-13 (Hernandez 2-2, Lottich 2-6, Robinson 1-1, Childress 1-2, Grunfeld 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Washington St. 18 (Gill 4), Stanford 34 (Haryasz, Little 7). Assists--Washington St. 10 (Moore 6), Stanford 17 (Lottich 7). Total fouls--Washington St. 17, Stanford 10. A--7,391.

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