Oregon State survived a scare Monday night at Gill Coliseum, but held on to defeat Seattle University 50-59. The game was won at the free throw line, where the Beavers were 20 of 33. While it wasn't the best percentage, the Beavers shot 24 more free throws than the RedHawks.

Calvin Haynes led the Beavers with 24 points, with 10 of those points coming on free throws. The Beavers held a 52-48 lead with three minutes remaining but clinched the win after converting 7-of-8 free down the stretch.

"With three minutes left it was still close" head coach Craig Robinson said after the game. "But we were able to increase our intensity and pull away from them and I was very happy to see that."

The Beavers move to 5-5 on the year with the win, and Seattle falls to 7-5. 

"That's a pretty good team, and they have a pretty good matchup zone and those guys were very good at it" Robinson added. "I told the guys in the locker room that I was extremely proud of them because this is the kind of game we would have lost in the past."

Indeed. Last year, Oregon State lost many that they frankly should have won. Colorado State, Alaska-Fairbanks, Tennessee Tech, etc.

The Beavers were 6-7 in non-conference games last season, but I feel much better this year sitting at 5-5. We definitely won't be favored to win any Pac-10 games, but we're taking steps in the right direction.

The first conference test of the season will come Friday night in Corvallis, when Pac-10 powerhouse UCLA comes to town. The Bruins are ranked No. 9 in the nation, have won the Pac-10 conference in three consecutive seasons, have been to three straight Final Fours, and the Bruins have won seven straight against the Beavers.

UCLA shoots over 50% from the field, and holds opponents to under 43% from the floor. That makes them one of the most efficient teams in the country, offensively and defensively. 

The Bruins and Beavers will tip off Friday at 7:33 on FSN. Look for an open thread here at BtD at around 6:30 or 7.

GO BEAVERS!