/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58324723/usa_today_10426045.0.jpg)
Great shooting from the guards, and a big game from Kat Tudor, led the Beavers to a big win over Arizona, 88-48. The win puts the Beavers at 13-4, with a 4-2 conference record, and Arizona at 4-13, and 0-6 in the PAC-12.
Arizona failed to mount an effective offense from anywhere on the court; in the back court the Beaver zone forced the Wildcats to take risky shots, and if they ever managed to move the ball into the paint, the Beavers used their size advantage to shut down the Wildcats. Oregon State finished with 10 blocks, including three from star forward Marie Gulich.
At one point in the 2nd quarter, it looked like the result might be in doubt, as Arizona took a brief lead while Oregon State’s shooting went cold. It didn’t last, and a rain of three point shots gave the Beavers back the lead, which they had built to 11 points by the half.
During the 3rd quarter the game got out of hand for Arizona. The Beavers hit 5 3 pointers, while the Wildcats failed to hit that many field goals of any kind. The 25-8 quarter buried any chance of an Arizona upset, and with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter the Beavers began resting their starters.
Kat Tudor was player of the game for the Beavers. After not being effective against the southern California schools, and getting shut out against Arizona State, Tudor really needed a big game and she found one here. Tudor was 6 out of 8 from beyond the arc, finishing with 18 points.
Marie Gulich also had another good game, despite being the focus of Arizona’s defense. While she added 13 points to the Beaver total, she was also a force on defense with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Taya Corosdale also deserves special mention. Not usually one of Oregon State’s top scorers, she was on fire tonight, with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. With the Wildcats focused on locking out Gulich, Corosdale stepped up and proved none of Oregon State’s starting five could be underestimated.
Arizona’s top performers were forwards Sam Thomas and Kat Wright with 10 points each, but it was a quiet night from their usual leading scorer JaLea Bennett, who only had 6 points. The Arizona front court could not compete with the athleticism of the Beavers, getting fewer defensive rebounds than Oregon State had offensive rebounds.
Up Next
Number 22 Oregon State has their biggest game of the season, as they’ll host Number 8 Oregon and Sabrina Ionescu in the first Civil War of the season. A win for Oregon State would establish them not just as a major threat in the PAC-12, but in the National field as well. The game will be Friday, January 19th at 8:00 pm.
Arizona is still looking for their first conference win of the season. They’ll hope to find it when they host Colorado next Friday.