The Beavers improved to 5-6 on Wednesday after a 74-54 win against the Illinois-Chicago Flames. The game was played in front of 3,880 people at Gill Coliseum.
Jared Cunningham led the Beavers with 22 points. Roberto Nelson followed him with 14 points and two rebounds.
Cunningham had a career high in points with 22, and also continued his impressive free-throw streak. The Sophomore has made his last 24 free throw attempts over the last four games.
The Beavers jumped out to an early 16-6 lead, and established momentum early on. Oregon State played its best defense of the season in the first 17 minutes, holding the Flames to only 11 points. UIC went on an 8-5 run to close out the final few minutes of the 1st Half, but the Beavers took a very comfortable 39-19 lead into the locker rooms.
For the Flames, Robo Kreps led the way minutes-wise, with 37. Kreps led Illinois-Chicago with 21 points, followed by Paul Carter with 19 points. The Flames came into this game with a record of 5-7.
Roberto Nelson Watch
Nelson had his best game of his short collegiate career, scoring 14 points off the bench. Roberto went 6 for 8 from the field, 1 for 2 behind the arc, and 1 for 2 from the free throw line.
The Beavers led Illinois-Chicago in alomst every statistical category, except in 2nd chance points. Illinois-Chicago had 14 to Oregon State's 9.
Ahead by twenty at Halftime, the Beavers just wanted to make sure that the Flames didn't go on any big runs to start the final half. The final twenty minutes went back and forth for the most part, with the Flames getting to within 17 a few times. But whenever UIC would make a small run, the Beavers would answer it. Oregon State was able to clear the bench for the final minute, with Daniel Deane, Daniel Jones, Kevin McShane, Ahmad Starks, and Chris Brown all getting some much deserved playing time.
With the win, the Beavers improved to 5-6 and Illinois-Chicago dropped to 5-8.
As far as the crowd goes, 3,880 isn't bad considering the students are on Winter Break. The attendance should improve for Pac-10 play, which begins on the 30th.
Next up for the Beavers is the beginning of Pac-10 play against Arizona State, Thursday at 7:30 PM in Corvallis, Oregon.