Preview: Oregon State Women’s Basketball versus UC Davis

Seventeenth-ranked Oregon State (8-2) hosts UC Davis (9-1) on Wednesday night. You can watch the game on the Oregon State Live Stream or listen on Oregon State AllAccess. Tip-off is scheduled at 6 PM PST for the Beavers’ final non-conference game. Let’s take a closer look at the Aggies.

UC Davis (9-1)

The defending Big West champions come into Gill fresh off their first loss of the season at home to Central Florida. Perhaps the Aggies were looking ahead to this week’s match-up against the Beavers with an upset on their mind. The 9-0 start had been their best in team history.

Forward Morgan Bertsch leads the Aggies with 21 points per game while hitting nearly 60 percent of her shots. The All-Big West first team selection has been the team’s leading scorer in every contest thus far. Guard Rachel Nagel and forward Pele Gianotti (also a Big West first teamer last year) both shoot over 52 percent while chipping in 13 and 10 per game respectively.

Like the Beavers, the Aggies rely on strong team play. On defense they have held opponents to 36 percent shooting, while forcing 14 turnovers a game; the Beavers hold teams to 31 percent and force 12 turnovers a game. On offense there are similarities as well for shooting percentage (48 percent for the Aggies, 53 percent for the Beavers) and assists per game (Aggies average 20, Beavers 24).

Prediction

This game should be more competitive than last years 93-52 Beaver blowout win. The Aggies are a better team this year and have two all-conference performers in the front-court. The first half will be back and forth which will add valuable experience before heading into conference play. Beavers eventually break away in the second half for the win.