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The Oregon State Women’s Basketball team ran out of magic as they fell to Louisville in the Elite Eight, 76-43. Though it wasn’t the note the team wanted go out on, you got to tip your cap to the team that was picked to finish in the middle of the Pac-12.
Things did not start out well as the Beavers started 3-for-11 in first quarter with six turnovers, but led the rebounding category with 12. In the second quarter it seemed like Oregon State found some offensive rhythm with threes by Kat Tudor and Taya Corosdale, but Louisville’s Asia Durr countered with back-to-back threes of her own to keep the momentum from switching sides.
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Down seven going into halftime, there was still hope as the Beavers had outscored their three opponents in the NCAA Tournament by 18 points in the third quarter. Alas, it was Louisville owning the frame, doubling their lead just over four minutes into the quarter. Then things started to get sloppier for the Beavers as the turnovers were piling up and leading to fast-break points.
Things got chippy with Louisville’s Arica Carter throwing a kick towards Mikayla Pivec though she was the one that fell on top of her. Despite the kick, Louisville’s momentum was not swayed as they built their lead to 23 going into the fourth.
Louisville put together a brilliant game plan to contain Marie Gulich, and at times you would see her surrounded by five players when near the basket. In her final career game, the All-American center fouled out for the first time all year in the first minute of the fourth. Even then, the Cardinals kept their foot on the throat of the Beavers until the couple minutes.
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Gulich led the Beavers with 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and seven turnovers. Taya Corosdale chipped in 11 points and six rebounds while connecting on three of her six attempts from downtown. Durr led the Cardinals with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Louisville will go on to the Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. They will face the winner of tonight’s match-up featuring one-seed Mississippi State and three-seed UCLA. For the Beavers, they will head back to Corvallis, but they should hold their heads high. Not many projected them they would get this far in what was suppose to be a rebuilding year.