Preview: Oregon State Women’s Basketball Season Opens Versus North Dakota

Oregon State kicks off the season this Friday, November 10th, at 2 pm. As of right now, the game is not scheduled to be televised, but you may be able to live stream it here, listen over radio, or just buy a ticket and go. Let’s take a peak at who the Beavers’ opening opponent will be.

North Dakota (0-0, 2-0 in exhibition games)

While OSU used a tune up game against D-II Concordia this last weekend, the defending Big Sky Champions will have had the benefit of two exhibition games. The Fighting Hawks blasted D-III Minnesota Morris, 93-35, then took care of business against D-II Minnesota Crookston, 79-50.

The Hawks are led by preseason All-Big Sky Conference forward Lexi Klabo, who led the team in scoring in each of the two exhibition games with 19 and 20. Forward Fallyn Freije had a double-double in the Hawks first exhibition game while chipping in 17 points the second game. North Dakota also has five players listed at 6’2’’ or higher, so they will be looking to score in the paint.

Prediction

This could be an intriguing match-up for the Beavers as the Hawks will come in hungry to knock off the 17th ranked team in the nation that is looking to replace three starters from last year’s team. North Dakota may have some height on the inside, but it won’t be enough against “Das Hammer” Marie Gulich and 6’8’’ Joanna Grymek. They also lack the firepower from outside the arc to contend with the home team. Look for the Beavers to utilize Coach Rueck‘s trademark defense to shut down the Hawks and then use their outside shooting too put the game away early in the second half.