Beaver State News

Freshman Encourage in Comeback at Washington

Oregon State battled back from a deficit as high as 17 points to get within three in the fourth quarter but the comeback came up just short in a 64-59 loss to Washington.

The Beavers got encouraging performances from their freshmen with three in double figures, led by 12 each from Lily Hansford and Adlee Blacklock. Raegan Beers recorded her 12th double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, moving her into a tie for the third-most ever recorded by a Pac-12 freshman.

Just like the first matchup between the two teams, Washington got off to a hot start from beyond the arc. The Huskies made six of their first nine triples as they staked out a 28-13 lead midway through the second. Hansford and Blacklock cashed in three baskets from beyond the arc but the Beavs were unable to keep up with the hot-shooting visitors early.

Oregon State started to battle their way back into it as the game approached its second media timeout. Blacklock cashed in her second three of the game from the wing and Talia von Oelhoffen pulled out a nifty up-and-under from 15-feet to cut the deficit to 28-18. The Beavs held UW to 23.1 percent shooting from the floor in the second quarter and went into the break down 30-22.

UW expanded its lead in the third quarter. The Huskies won the period 19-14 behind 53.4 shooting from the field. Jelena Mitrovic had a 4-0 spurt late in the period that kept the Beavers in the game heading into the fourth.

The Beavers made their comeback in the final ten minutes. Trailing 55-38, Hansford hit two threes and Bendu Yeaney knocked down free throws to cut the deficit to nine. After a UW jumper, Blacklock and Beers scored eight straight to get within four.

Oregon State forced misses down the stretch, but they were unable to finish the possession with a defensive rebound. UW made two second-chance baskets to make it 61-53 and a steal-and-score from Yeaney only closed the gap to five. Timea Gardiner hit a three to close it to three, but Washington made free throws down the stretch to finish the game.

The Beavs close their road trip on Sunday at Washington State. The game is slated for a 12 p.m. tip with a broadcast on Pac-12 Washington. 

Original source can be found here