Jenna Villa hits four three-pointers and scores 19 points to lead the Beavers to a narrow win in Maui.
Oregon State leaned on its defense during the fourth quarter to rally past Montana State 53-51 Friday night in women’s basketball at the Maui Classic in Makawao, Hawaii.
The Beavers, who trailed by three heading into the final quarter, held Montana State scoreless for more than a six-minute stretch to win the first of two games this weekend in Hawaii.
Trailing 52-49, Montana State’s Isobel Bunyan hit what appeared to be a corner three-pointer to tie the game. But her foot was ruled to be on the line, making it a two. OSU’s Jenna Villa closed out the win with a pair of free throws.
“The game was so physical, every dribble, every pass, every rebound,” Oregon State coach Scott Rueck said following the game on the Youtube broadcast. “I was so proud of the way we found a way to win.”
Villa hit four three-pointers and scored 19 points, the only Beaver to reach double figures. Oregon State (7-5) had to overcome 22 turnovers and 11 missed free throws. Jamison Phillip had 14 points to lead the Bobcats (6-4).
Both teams struggled on offense early. The Beavers trailed 8-0 and didn’t score until Lizzy Williamson made a layup nearly five minutes into the game.
OSU was able to lock down on defense to stay in the game, as Montana State shot just 27.8% from the floor.
Villa gave Oregon State its first lead of the game halfway through the second quarter with a layup for a 17-15 lead.
Two minutes later Kennedie Shuler found Villa in the corner for an open three that put Oregon State up 22-17. But the Beavers failed to score for the rest of the period, a drought that lasted more than four minutes. The Bobcats took advantage of multiple turnovers for a 9-0 run to take a 26-22 halftime lead.
Phillip scored 10 points in the third quarter, and the Bobcats remained in front 43-40 heading to the final quarter.
A minute and a half into the fourth quarter, Villa hit a deep three to give the Beavers a 45-43 lead. Oregon State had chances to extend the lead but couldn’t, and Ella Johnson put Montana State back up 46-45 with a three.
Shuler answered with a layup, and later followed with one of the game’s biggest baskets, a turn-around, fade-away shot in the lane with 1:58 left that staked OSU to a 50-46 lead.
Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick cut the Beavers lead to 50-49, sinking a three with 18 seconds left. Villa scored made two free throws before Bunyan almost sent the game to overtime.
Oregon State will play Liberty at 8 p.m. Saturday night to close out the Maui Classic.
