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The #9 Oregon State Beavers Women’s basketball team takes on the La Salle Explorers in game seven of the season. Tip-off is slated for 12:00 PM PST on Saturday, December 1st. You can watch the game on Pac-12 Network Oregon, or check out the team’s schedule or Twitter page to find other ways to follow along live. Let’s take a closer look at the Explorers.
La Salle (0-6 overall, 0-0 conference)
Last season: 8-22 overall, 3-13 A-10 (T-12th), no postseason
The Explorers are in transition after hiring a new head coach in Mountain MacGillivray, who notably took Quinnipiac to the Sweet 16 in 2017. But don’t expect a miracle turnaround from La Salle against Oregon State as they’ll have to figure out a way to replace All-Big-5 performer Amy Griffin who led the team in points, assists, steals, and blocks. Their next two best players, Adreana Miller and Shaquana Edwards, would have been set to return this year, but have opted to transfer to Ohio State and Quinnipiac (ironic isn’t it?) respectively.
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La Salle currently ranks 328th in scoring at 52.5 points per game. That ain’t good, but it’s better than former Oregon State opponent Arkansas Pine-Bluff’s 38 points per contest. They are also near the bottom for turnovers per contest at over 20 per game. I don’t think the Beavers will have to worry about three point shooters as the Explorers are only hitting 15.6% of the shots from downtown, the second-worst percentage in the nation
Who to watch
#3 - Rayshel Brown, Sophomore Guard
Brown leads the Explorers with 7.5 points per game and could turn out to be a sharpshooter as she has hit 100% of her three point shots... at one for one.
#25 - Shalina Miller, Junior Forward/Center
Miller is the Explorers’ top rebounder at 6.5 per game, and is second on the team in points at 7.3 per game. If the Explorers want to make a game of this, they’ll need Miller to stretch the Beaver front court with some jumpers.
#11 - Deja King, Sophomore Guard
King appears to be the floor general for the Explorers, leading the team in assists. She also has a knack for getting to the foul line as she attempts nearly six foul shots a game.
Prediction
The Beavers are going to steal some planks off of the Explorers already sinking ship and place those planks upon their dam. Oregon State wins big.