Oregon State WBB: Beavers Take Down Utah 77-48 To Open Pac-12 Schedule

Oregon State put in another dominant performance in their first game of the new decade, taking down the Utah Utes 77-48. The win, which opens the Beavers Pac-12 Schedule, brings the Beavers to 13-0 this season. Utah is now 0-2 in conference play, and 7-6 overall.

The Beavers got off to their usual start, with Mikayla Pivec, Destiny Slocum and Taylor Jones all scoring early. Oregon scored 9 before the Utes found the scoreboard, setting the tone early. Utah could simply not make their shots, while Oregon State found numerous avenues for scoring. By the end of the first, the Beavers were up 24-10.

In the second quarter, Utah began to bring some physicality to their defense, and limited Oregon State’s scoring to just 13. They still couldn’t make their shots however, and ended the first half down 37-24. The Utes only shot 34.5% for the first half. Lola Pendade, who had been the Utes leading scorer this season, was held to only one point in the half.

And then, as has been their pattern this season, the Beavers exploded in the third quarter. Oregon State opened the second half with a 13-0 lead to put the game away. Utah did not score in the first five minutes of the half. Utah managed to slow down the onslaught in the fourth quarter, getting back to the physical style that had worked earlier, but it was far too little too late.

The Beavers had a very balanced offense tonight. Destiny Slocum led with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Mikayla Pivec was right behind her with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Taylor Jones also scored 15 points, and had 4 rebounds and an assist.

There was a scary moment in the third quarter when Aleah Goodman went down with an injury. Goodman left for the locker room, but was back on the bench in the fourth, and played a couple more minutes. Hopefully there’s no serious issue going forward.

One big key for the Beavers tonight was winning the turnover battle. Oregon State’s offensive style produces a lot of turnovers, and it has cost them at times in the past, but tonight they beat Utah 16-11 in the turnover department. It’s a good sign.

Up next, the Beavers will take on the 12-1 Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado just dropped their first game of the season, on the road to Oregon. Tip off is set for 12:00 PM PT at Gill.