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Oregon State MBB: Beavers Open Season With 73-64 Win Over Portland State

After a shaky first half, Jarod Lucas and Warith Alatishe deliver a victory for the Beavers

By John Severs
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Oregon State at Houston Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Beavers looked like they’d start off the season on a shaky step, with a weak first half leaving the team behind after the first half. The team managed to find their footing in the second half, however, finishing the night with 73-64 win over the Portland State Vikings to start the season 1-0.

Warith Alatishe scored the first points of the Beavers season, and the game with a fast break layup. After being fouled on the play he added one more with a free throw giving the Beavs an early 3-0 lead. Portland State and Alatishe then started trading buckets, with the lead going back and forth.

Alatishe was essentially the entire Oregon State offense for much of the first half. He scored the Beavers’ first 11 points. It took over 10 minutes for a non Warith player to get some points on the board, when Isaiah Johnson hit a jumper. The inability of the rest of the Beavers to hit their shots let the Vikings stay in front for the rest of the first half, with Portland State hanging on to a 32-28 lead at halftime.

PSU continued to control the game early in the second half, extending their lead to as much as 11 at times. Jarod Lucas then began to spark a Beaver comeback hitting three after three to cut into the Viking lead. With around nine minutes left in the game a jump shot from Maurice Calloo then gave the Beavers their first lead since early in the first half.

Portland State hung around for a bit, but the Beavers began firing on all cylinders. Calloo continued to deliver sharp shooting, Ahmad Rand showed off some dunking skills and amazing blocks, and Warith Alatishe delivered a rare three to put the Beavers comfortably ahead, with 73-64 being the final margin of victory.

After his amazing first half Alatishe led all players in scoring, finishing the night with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Maurice Calloo finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, while Jarod Lucas also added 16 points, along with 6 rebounds and an assist.

Oregon State won’t have much time to rest, as they’ll be getting on the road to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones Friday night.