Oregon State cuts a 20-point deficit to three points during the second half before Virginia Tech closes out the win.
A sluggish start on offense doomed the Oregon State women’s basketball team Saturday, as the Beavers lost 78-67 to Virginia Tech at the Paradise Jam Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Oregon State (5-3) trailed 26-14 after the first quarter and 55-35 midway through the third quarter. The Beavers nearly made up the entire deficit, pulling to within three points with 7:26 remaining.
Virginia Tech forward Carys Baker scored 12 of her 20 points late in the fourth quarter, as the Hokies (6-2) hung on for the win.
Oregon State guard Jenna Villa finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Kennedie Shuler added 15 points for the Beavers.
Mel Daley led the way for the Hokies in the first half. Daley, who finished with a game-high 24 points, was 7-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line to tally 18 points, staking Virginia Tech to a 44-33 halftime lead.
Oregon State scored first in the third quarter, but Virginia Tech quickly reeled off 11 straight points to stretch its lead to 20.
Late in the third quarter, the Beavers went on a 7-1 run to get back in the game. But Virginia Tech’s Carleigh Wenzel hit a deep three to put the Hokies back up by 15 points at 62-47.
Villa sparked the comeback attempt starting the final seconds of the third quarter. Villa’s steal and layup with two seconds left in the quarter cut the deficit to 62-50.
It was the start of a 12-0 run. Shuler began the final period with a layup to cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 10, then Villa scored seven straight. Villa made another layup, two free throws, and a three-pointer from the top of the key to cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 62-59.
A turnover halted an OSU chance to pull closer, but it was Virginia Tech — specifically Baker and Daly — the rest of the way.
Baker scored on three short jumpers in the lane and two threes, one from the top of the key and one from the corner. Daley made two driving layups, and Virginia Tech outscored the Beavers 16-8 down the stretch.
Oregon State, which dropped both games in the tournament, have three days to prepare for Wednesday’s rivalry game at Oregon. The Ducks (8-0) have a showdown against unbeaten Auburn on Sunday in Eugene.
