The Beavers are 4-0 on the young season, playing efficient basketball.
Once again on Tuesday afternoon, Oregon State women’s basketball got it done on both ends of the floor.
The Beavers (4-0) pulled away from Utah State, 71-52, in a balanced effort at Gill Coliseum. They shot 48%, dominated the rebounding margin, 47-27, and had four players in double figures.
OSU was led by Tiara Bolden with 23 points — including 17 in the first half — 11 rebounds, and four steals. Towering center Néné Sow added 11 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks.
Kennedie Shuler also poured in 14 for the Beavers, and Jenna Villa had 10. Both were key with their perimeter defense, too, as OSU held the Aggies (2-2) to just 34% shooting. The Beavers were able to overcome committing 20 turnovers as a team.
In front of thousands of screaming children at its annual field trip game, the Beavers got off to a loud start. OSU went up 8-0 and later 15-2, buoyed by the hot shooting of Bolden and two-way impact of Sow in the paint.
Utah State kept up the pace and got back within 19-10 after one quarter. OSU pushed it back up to 29-15 midway through the second on a three from Jenna Villa, but the Aggies would not go away.
A 10-0 run by Utah State cut it to 29-25, as the Aggies hit timely three-pointers and layups in transition. OSU went on more than four-minute scoreless stretch.
Bolden and Sow kept got things back on track offensively, though, carrying the Beavers to a 38-29 lead at half.
Utah State kept chipping away as the third quarter got rolling. Shuler succeeded in driving to the basket, but OSU kept turning the ball over and allowed the Aggies to get out and run.
The OSU lead got up to 61-44 after three, highlighted by back-to-back jumpers by Ally Schimel, a lay-in from Villa, and a power to the basket from Sow plus the foul.
With the game largely in hand midway through the fourth, Bolden hit two free throws to give OSU a 67-49 lead. The crowd of kids erupted, of course, acknowledging the “six seven” meme permeating among America’s youth.
Next game: Oregon State (4-0) vs. Colorado State (4-0)
- When: Friday, Nov. 21
- Time: 6:00 p.m. PT
- Where: Gill Coliseum
- Stream: ESPN+
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