PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon State's Gary Payton hit both ends of a one-and-one with five seconds remaining to preserve a 71-68 win over Oregon Saturday, giving the Beavers their 18th Far West Classic championship.
Payton led both teams with 30 points and assists 13, and was named the tournament's most valuable player for a record third consecutive year.
He also became the only player in the 34-year history of the holiday classic to be voted to the all-tournament team four times.
OSU led most of the game, but the Ducks battled back time after time and finally closed to within one at 69-68.
Oregon had a chance to go ahead after OSU's Earl Martin missed the front end of a one-and-one and the Ducks grabbed the rebound.
But when Terrell Brandon missed the ensuing shot with six seconds left, Oregon's last chance was gone.
Brandon, who was also named to the all-tournament team along with teammate Keith Reynolds, led Oregon with 21 points.
With only five seconds left, Oregon was forced to foul, sending Payton to the line. The senior guard sank both shots to end the scoring.
This marks the seventh time that Oregon State and Oregon have met for the tournament champsionship, with the Beavers winning each one. They met two other times during the tournament's history and Oregon State won both of those, as well.
This is the last year the tournament will host eight teams. Next year the format will include only four teams.
Payton wound up as the tournament's leader in scoring and assists. He finished with 94 points in three games and dished out 31 assists.
Rounding out the all-tournament team were Louisiana Tech's Anthony Dade and Henry Williams from North Carolina-Charlotte.
