
#2 UConn Beats Beavs in Bahamas
November 25, 2024 | Women's Basketball
NASSAU, Bahamas – Oregon State battled and won the second half but fell to second-ranked UConn on Monday, opening the Baha Mar Continental Tire Championship with a 71-52 defeat.
In a bright spot for the Beavers, AJ Marotte regained her trademark shooting form. The senior led the team with 17 points while making 3-of-6 from deep along with her usual stable of mid-range jumpers. Kelsey Rees scored 10 points with seven rebounds and four assists.
"I liked our focus tonight. We were playing against one of the best teams in the country, and that's a tall order for a team as new as we are," head coach Scott Rueck said. "I loved the way we competed in the second half, and the way we fought and executed."
The Beavers hung tough in the opening minutes, responding to a 12-2 start by the Huskies with a five-point spurt of their own. Catarina Ferreira hit a triple and Marotte made a jumper in the spurt.
UConn pulled away later in the period, winning it 22-7, but the Beavs showcased growth throughout the contest. The Beavers won the second half 33-29 and took the fourth quarter 21-16. Marotte scored 10 points in the period, aided by five from Tiara Bolden. OSU shot 80% in the final frame.
In the second half, Oregon State shot 56.5 percent from the field while holding the Huskies to 37.5 percent.
Along with Marotte regaining her shot, Ally Schimel showed the long-range shot that earned her a roster spot. The freshman from Corbett, Ore. made the Huskies pay for leaving her open with a 2-for-3 day from beyond the arc. Schimel also impacted the game defensively with a steal and a block.
The Beavers will close the tournament against Boston College – which lost to no. 17 Ole Miss 92-55 in the day – in the tournament consolation game. It is slated to tip at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT with streaming on FloCollege.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
In a bright spot for the Beavers, AJ Marotte regained her trademark shooting form. The senior led the team with 17 points while making 3-of-6 from deep along with her usual stable of mid-range jumpers. Kelsey Rees scored 10 points with seven rebounds and four assists.
"I liked our focus tonight. We were playing against one of the best teams in the country, and that's a tall order for a team as new as we are," head coach Scott Rueck said. "I loved the way we competed in the second half, and the way we fought and executed."
The Beavers hung tough in the opening minutes, responding to a 12-2 start by the Huskies with a five-point spurt of their own. Catarina Ferreira hit a triple and Marotte made a jumper in the spurt.
UConn pulled away later in the period, winning it 22-7, but the Beavs showcased growth throughout the contest. The Beavers won the second half 33-29 and took the fourth quarter 21-16. Marotte scored 10 points in the period, aided by five from Tiara Bolden. OSU shot 80% in the final frame.
In the second half, Oregon State shot 56.5 percent from the field while holding the Huskies to 37.5 percent.
Along with Marotte regaining her shot, Ally Schimel showed the long-range shot that earned her a roster spot. The freshman from Corbett, Ore. made the Huskies pay for leaving her open with a 2-for-3 day from beyond the arc. Schimel also impacted the game defensively with a steal and a block.
The Beavers will close the tournament against Boston College – which lost to no. 17 Ole Miss 92-55 in the day – in the tournament consolation game. It is slated to tip at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT with streaming on FloCollege.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
Team Stats
OSU
UConn
FG%
.444
.438
3FG%
.474
.345
FT%
.750
.625
RB
28
32
TO
24
9
STL
6
11
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Dear Oregon State | Sela Heide
Thursday, April 17
Dear Oregon State | Kelsey Rees
Tuesday, April 15
Dear Oregon State | AJ Marotte
Tuesday, April 15
Selection Show Media Availability | Tiara Bolden, Kennedie Shuler & Scott Rueck
Monday, March 17