Oregon State
Washington State
Beavers' Tournament Run Stopped by Washington State
March 07, 2012 | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2012
Los Angeles, Calif. – The Oregon State women's basketball team (18-12) fought back from a 15-point first half deficit and had a chance to take the lead, but couldn't get over the hump as it fell to Washington State (12-19), 65-56, in the opening round of the Pacific Life Pac-12 Conference Tournament Wednesday at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California.
The Beavers trailed 32-27 at halftime and then got to within 45-44 on a free throw by junior Mollee Schwegler (Rainier, Ore.). They then had three chances to take the lead, but committed two turnovers on those opportunities and missed a layup.
The Cougars took advantage of those Beaver miscues by going on an 11-3 run over the next 3:30 to distance themselves for the victory.
OSU was led in scoring by the 19 points from freshman Ali Gibson (Woodbridge, Calif.), while Earlysia Marchbanks posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Brandi Thomas paced WSU with 17 points.
The Beavers got off to a rough start, hitting just four of their first 17 shots and trailing 17-2.
However, Oregon State started its comeback when Gibson hit a three-point field goal at the 12:30 mark that started a 12-5 run that closed the gap to 22-17. The Cougars scored the game's next six points, but the Beavers rallied again with a 10-4 run the end the first half to trail just by five at the half, thanks in part to Marchbanks' eight points in that spurt.
Oregon State will return home and await possible postseason play, announced on Monday.
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