Oregon State
Colorado
Beavers Drop to Buffs
March 07, 2015 | Women's Basketball
SEATTLE, Wash. - Five players scored in double-figures, but the No. 8/9 Oregon State women's basketball team was edged by Colorado 68-65 Friday evening in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament.
“Hat's off to Colorado,” said Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck. “They played a great, inspired game tonight. They brought energy from the beginning, and it took us awhile to match it. I liked the way we played in different stretched of the game. I thought we really competed hard, but they made the plays they needed to.”
Junior Ruth Hamblin finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, falling just short of her 10th double-double of the season. She shot 6-for-9 in the game.
Junior Deven Hunter came through with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while sophomore Sydney Wiese tallied 11 points and six assists. Junior Jamie Weisner recorded 11 points, while senior Ali Gibson finished with 10.
The game marked the sixth time this season the Beavers (26-4) had five or more players in double-figures.
Oregon State used a 13-0 first half run to take a lead at halftime, and an 8-0 second half run to go ahead late, but Colorado's (15-16) hot shooting carried the Buffaloes to the victory.
Colorado got off to a hot start, taking an eight point lead five minutes in. Hunter hit a jumper to get the Beavers within four with nine minutes left in the half, but the Buffaloes would respond to stretch the lead to double-digits. Oregon State would roar back from there, scoring 13 unanswered points in a run powers by Hamblin to take a 33-30 lead into the break. Oregon State held Colorado off the board for the final 6:15 of the opening frame.
Hamblin led the Beavers with nine points and four rebounds in the first half.
Colorado would respond to open the second half, retaking the lead at 38-37. The teams would trade punches over the next few minutes, before the Buffaloes were able to take and 8-point lead with 8:30 to go. The Beavers would come back with another run, scoring eight unanswered to take the lead. Colorado would battle back from there to take the win.
“I think this will be a great lesson,” Rueck said. “There is basketball to be played, so we just need to approach this the right way and learn from it.”
The Beavers will now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, which will be held Monday March 16 at 4 p.m. PT.
