Beavers outlast Utes; Win 71-63

In a battle of top-25 teams, Oregon State outlasted the Utah Utes in Gill Coliseum Sunday afternoon. The Beavers started off slow, putting up just eight first quarter points (season-low). Fortunately for the Beavs, Destiny Slocum went supernova in the second quarter. She finished the half with an efficient 18 points, repeatedly slicing past the defense for uncontested layups.

Utah’s Megan Huff, coming off a huge 38 point/11 rebound game against the Ducks, had a much tougher time against the Oregon State defense. Huff still managed a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, but took 17 shots in the game.

A back-and-forth second half saw the game all tied up at 51. The Beavers then used a 14-2 run, capped by a Maddie Washington layup (back from an illness that kept her out of Friday’s game) to take a 67-58 lead. Washington led the Beavers with 8 rebounds off the bench. While Aleah Goodman hit several key free throws to put the game away.

UP NEXT:

• 2/8 - Oregon State @ #8 Stanford, 6 pm
• 2/10 - Oregon State @ Cal, 1 pm
• 2/15 - Oregon State @ #4 Oregon, 6 pm
• 2/18 - Oregon State vs. #4 Oregon, 6 pm

The Beavers are in the midst of their toughest 5-game stretch of the regular season. Getting the victory against the Utes was crucial, as their next three games are on the road. They finish their gauntlet with a huge home game against the Ducks. Let’s pack Gill on the 18th!