Wilcox leads Washington to 68-63 win over Washington State in Pac-12 opener

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With his team behind, Washington State head coach Ken Bone reacts after a foul was called on one of his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Dean Hare) (The Associated Press)

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Washington State forward Brock Motum (12) drives against Washington forward Desmond Simmons (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Dean Hare) (The Associated Press)

PULLMAN, Wash. – C.J. Wilcox scored 18 points and Washington beat poor-shooting Washington State 68-63 on Saturday night.

Scott Suggs scored three late baskets to help Washington (9-5, 1-0 Pac-12) successfully begin its defense of last year's Pac-12 regular season title.

Mike Ladd scored 15 points to lead Washington State (9-5, 0-1), which has lost four straight to its cross-state rival.

The Huskies jumped to a big early lead and poor shooting plagued Washington State much of the game.

Washington State was scoreless in the first five minutes of the game to fall behind 9-0. Consecutive 3-pointers by Suggs and Wilcox pushed Washington's lead to 17-4 and the Cougars had trouble even attempting shots on several of their possessions.

Shawn Kemp Jr. made back-to-back dunks as Washington built a 21-4 lead and the Cougars were just 2 of 13 from the field at that point.