Eubanks Powers Oregon State Over Long Beach State

Oregon State shrugged off a Monday night loss to Wyoming by taking out their frustration on Long Beach State, 89-81. The 49ers could not solve Drew Eubanks, who flashed his athleticism and flexed his muscles with numerous slam dunks on his way to his first double-double of the season with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Tres Tinkle continued his hot shooting with 20 points, making it three straight games of at least 20, while Stephen Thompson Jr. chipped in 17. Bryan Alberts led the 49ers with 19.

It looked like it might be that kind of night where the ball would bounce in favor of the opposing team all night when Long Beach’s first shot, a three, hung on the rim for eternity. The Beavers had other plans as they answered with their own three from Ethan Thompson, followed by another five straight points to take the early 8-3 lead.

There was an opportunity to blow this open early with the Beavers leading 18-9, but 6 missed shots and 5 turnovers over six scoreless minutes happened. Fortunately, Long Beach could not capitalize on the Oregon State drought. The Beavers eventually increased their lead to 10, but the 49ers would not go away quietly as the got within four at 29-25 before a timely three by Tres Tinkle. A heads up play by Thompson Jr. led to an assist on a Eubanks dunk, and then on the very next possession, Eubanks repaid the favor with a near full-court pass to Thompson Jr. for an easy layup with one minute left to increase the lead to nine just before the half.

Coming out of the half down 40-31, Long Beach made a push to get within one at 46-45 just four minutes in on the back of Edon Maxhuni, a freshman. A 9-2 run helped the Beavers reel in some momentum before increasing their lead to 10 at 63-53 after another dunk by Eubanks as Long Beach continued to have no answer for his physicality. Long Beach would hang around for the rest of the half and made things interesting at the 1:26 mark by getting within five. Tinkle was not able to convert on free throws which let Barry Ogalue hit two freebies to bring the game to within three, 81-78. A Stevie Thompson driving layup and two Eubanks free throws increased the lead back to seven and end the threat.

Both teams move to 2-1 on the young season. Catch the Beavers next on November 23rd, as they take on St. John’s in Orlando for the Advocare Invitational. The game will be televised on ESPNU.