Doutrive’s Buzzer-Beater Sinks Oregon State, 74-72

One of the best games of the Pac-12 season ended in heartbreak on Thursday night for Oregon State, as a last-second put-back lay-up from Arizona’s Devonaire Doutrive ruined the Beavers chance to tie for second-place in the league with Arizona State. Instead, the Wildcats prevailed by a 74-72 margin, in a truly back-and-forth affair that was well worth the price of admission.

Game Recap

The first half was a roller-coaster affair for the Wildcats, as Arizona’s offense failed to utilize forward Chase Jeter in the post (despite their best efforts), especially against the Beavers man-to-man defense. However, Oregon State’s switch to a 1-2-2 style zone, allowed more downhill attacking scenarios and penetration within the zone, which added some more overall flow to the Wildcats offense. For a few moments through the final ten minutes, Arizona was well in control and looked to be opening up the contest with the Beavers searching for answers.

Luckily for the Beavers, Oregon State had an answer.

Wayne Tinkle’s squad began the half finishing many of their possessions in isolation scenarios and not getting the full-scope of their offense involved, but were bailed out again by two usual contributors. Star forward Tres Tinkle, who notched double-figures in scoring for the 61st consecutive game, and the ever-excitable Ethan Thompson, both finished the first twenty minutes with 11 points. Despite going more than six minutes down the stretch without a basket, a Gligorije Rakocevic lay-up stopped the bleeding with 1:14 left and spurred a 5-0 run to close the period.

The Beavers took a 35-32 lead into the half.

Oregon State continued their strong play to begin the second frame, as another quick 4-0 run caused Sean Miller to use a time-out just over a minute into the period. However, a Brandon Randolph basket broke the combined run for Oregon State and a flagrant foul “hook-and-hold” call on Tres Tinkle less than a minute later (which negated a huge Randolph put-back slam) took some wind out of their sails.

The Beavers went into the under-sixteen media timeout with just a 42-39 advantage.

The switch to a 2-3 zone defense by Oregon State (partially due to some of the team’s lingering foul trouble) allowed Arizona to attack the offensive glass and stretch the Beavers out defensively, without shot-blocker Kylor Kelley on the floor. A timely three-pointer by Justin Coleman with 14:40 on the clock gave the Wildcats a 44-42 advantage, but was the feat was quickly reciprocated by Oregon State sharpshooter Zach Reichle less than forty seconds later.

From there, a barrage of back-and-forth plays, including a Stephen Thompson Jr. long-range trey, brought the game to 50-48 in the Beavers favor at the under-twelve media stoppage.

Although, Arizona came out of that break as the hotter team, with help from a Kylor Kelley missed dunk and a three-plus minute Beavers scoring drought, building their lead to 5 points. With 8:30 on the clock, Tres Tinkle cut into the Wildcats advantage with a crucial three-pointer, which was followed up by a huge Kelley block and a loose-ball rebound and dunk by Tinkle to tie the game at 55.

The next four-plus minutes of action included some stunning plays, highlighted by a huge put-back slam from the Wildcats’ Devonaire Doutrive at the 5:55 mark that put Arizona ahead by two. However, Ethan Thompson was fouled on a three-point attempt by Doutrive with 5:21 to play by Doutrive and connected on all three free-throws, putting the Beavers back-up 65-62.

Tinkle then connected on two free throws about a minute later to place Oregon State up 67-62.

A big three-point stroke by foul-plagued swingman Ryan Luther brought Arizona back within one, but an off-ball foul on Brandon Williams (his fifth) brought the game to the under-four media time-out with the Beavers’ Zach Reichle headed to the free-throw stripe.

Reichle split the pair to give the Beavers a 68-66 lead heading into the final 3:50.

Over the next three minutes, the coaching staffs of both teams let their squads decide the game, as until the 24 second-mark for an official stoppage (and subsuqeunt Arizona time-out), the game went back-and-forth. Brandon Randolph hit a tough runner and then a deep two with 1:32 left to put the Wildcats up two, but an Ira Lee turnover a minute later gave the Beavers life again.

With just twenty-five ticks on the clock, Stephen Thompson Jr. hit a lay-in to tie the game up at 72.

On Arizona’s final possession in regulation (with the shot clock off), Justin Coleman missed a tough fade-away jumper which was followed up by Devonaire Doutrive as the horn sounded.

The stunning victory moves Arizona to 17-12 (8-8) on the season, while Oregon State falls to 17-10 (9-6).

Notes

• Arizona forward Chase Jeter injured his leg at the 13:22 mark, when he fell to the floor with Tres Tinkle after a defensive foul. He left the Arizona bench shortly after and returned after the eight-minute media time-out with a brace on his knee. He played just two possessions and excited once again, clearly still unable to give it a full-go. It’s important to remember that Jeter injured his back after a scary fall in the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, which caused him to miss two games of action.
• Wildcats’ guard Brandon Randolph also missed some time in the contest, when he collided heads with Tinkle at the 10:53 mark and left with a bloody lip. He returned alongside Jeter after the eight-minute mark.
• Coming into the game, Oregon State has been 13-0 when leading at halftime and 15-0 when leading with under 5 minutes left in the game. However, the Beavers were outscored in bench points by a 29-9 margin and 23-3 in second chance points.

Five Stars

1. Devonaire Doutrive (Arizona) - 9 PTS, 4-4 FG, 5 REB (GW At Buzzer)

2. Tres Tinkle (Oregon State) - 24 PTS, 7-12 FG, 5 REB

3. Ethan Thompson (Oregon State) - 18 PTS, 4-6 FG, 8-8 FT

4. Brandon Randolph (Arizona) - 15 PTS, 7-8 FG, 3 REB

5. Stephen Thompson Jr. (Oregon State) - 17 PTS, 3 STL, 2 AST

Up Next

The Beavers host second-place Arizona State on Sunday at 5:00 PM PT (ESPNU) for Senior Day, when the program will honor departing graduates Stephen Thompson Jr. and Gligorije Rakocevic.