Dentmon brings winning ways back to the Dawgs

He threw his jacket to the ground with all the frustration of the past four weeks. At that point, Washington coach Lorenzo Romar wasn't going to let his team lose.

If ever there was a spark, that was it. If there was ever a team that needed one, it was the Huskies.

The time to turn it all around was now [HTML_REMOVED] against a beleaguered team without its leader. There could be no more wins slipping through the fingers. Washington was not going to become accustomed to losing, especially at home.

The opponent was missing its point guard, but it was Washington's floor general that owned the court. Justin Dentmon filled the stat sheet with one of the most complete performances of his career.

Sure he got his points, but he also took charges, dove to the floor and ran the offense as clean as Husky fans have seen this season. The sophomore showed toughness, control and leadership.

He led Washington's fast start; he ensured the win at the end. He had Hec Edmondson Pavilion buzzing and rocking once more with winning Husky basketball.

Was this the game where it all clicked? It sure looked like it.

This time the bad fouls and open looks, all the offensive rebounds and hustle plays were going Washington's way. Home-court advantage? Possibly. An improving team improving ready to make a run? More likely.

And why not? With a new video board showing all the highlights and questionable calls, Washington basketball sure feels more in place with the elite.

The Dawg Pack had another solid performance [HTML_REMOVED] although shaky with the in-game chants and the fight song. The students featured some residual sombreros and waved the Mexican flag with an enthusiastic rendition of the "Ole!" song. It was untimely and predictable [HTML_REMOVED] but enjoyable nonetheless.

Tonight no opponent was coming to Seattle and leaving with a win. Despite a diminishing national reputation, the Huskies still came in as the four-point favorites.

Husky fans proved that Washington basketball owns this city when they mercilessly booed Oregon-alum and Sonic point guard Luke Ridnour.

Much to the dismay of Pac-10 opponents, 1-7 in the Pac-10 wasn't going to happen. Romar made sure of that.

After a questionable foul on Quincy Pondexter [HTML_REMOVED] something that is becoming routine now for Pac-10 officials [HTML_REMOVED] Romar stormed onto the court seemingly willing to go 12 rounds for his team.

The players saw it [HTML_REMOVED] the fans too. I won't go as far as saying it became Duck Season at that moment, but there was no way Oregon would stay alive.

The Husky basketball of old was back, even if it was just one game. The passion was evident on the video screen, which showed the team engaged in an untamed mosh pit of excitement in the tunnel.

Despite their top-10 ranking, Oregon was overmatched from the tip. Sorry Tajuan Porter: Your revenge against Romar for cutting you from the under-18 U.S. national basketball team will have to come another time. But don't hold your breath; your Ducks have lost six of the past seven to the Dawgs.

And after last night's win, Washington looks as good as ever.

Reach columnist Joshua Mayers at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.