Men's Hoops Downs Fresno State
FRESNO, Calif. – Rickey Claitt led four players in double figures as the Oregon State men’s basketball team pulled away late in the second half to capture a 62-54 victory over Fresno State in action on Sunday afternoon from the Save Mart Center. With the victory, Oregon State improves to 1-4 on the season as head coach Craig Robinson picks up his first career win with the Beavers.
With Oregon State trailing 40-39, the Beavers used a 13-2 run over the next five minutes to establish a lead they would not relinquish. The run was highlighted by a deep three-pointer from Lathen Wallace, giving the Beavers a 52-42 advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Fresno State tried to mount a late rally; however, a tip-in by Roeland Schaftenaar and a late, breakaway dunk by Seth Tarver sealed the victory for Oregon State.
Stellar defense in the second half by Oregon State gave the Beavers the advantage as Fresno State shot only 24.1 percent (7-of-29) from the floor over the final 20 minutes.
For the game, Fresno State was held to 37.0 percent (20-of-54) from the field as Oregon State shot over 50.0 percent from the field (23-of-44; 52.3 percent) for the third time this season. Last season, the Beavers only managed to shoot 50.0 percent or higher in two contests.
Wallace and Omari Johnson each had 12 points in the win while Seth Tarver added 11 for the Beavers.
Dwight O’Neill had 14 points to lead the way for Fresno State.
Oregon State will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, when the Beavers travel to Ames, Iowa, to take on Iowa State in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series at 11:00 a.m. in a game to be nationally televised by ESPNU.
