Beavs Own Second Half in Season-Opening Win

Monday, November 6

Corvallis, OR

5:30 PM

Oregon State

1-0,0-0Pac-12

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

0-1,0-0SWAC

Ark.-Pine Bluff

Oregon St.

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

November 06, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

By: Cate Schmeling

CORVALLIS, Ore.- Oregon State took the lead midway through the third quarter and didn't look back in a 85-74 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in both teams' season-opening game.

The Beavers were a second half team on Monday, trailing by at least 10 for most of the first half before outpacing the Golden Lions 52-28 the rest of the way.

"We knew Arkansas-Pine Bluff would be good. Film doesn't lie. That's a good team," head coach Scott Rueck said. "I loved the effort in the first half just to stay within reach and then the team came out in the second half just with a big-time energy boost. Our defense was just completely different. We just started remembering who we are and believing and then it was just a great game."

Freshman Dominika Paurova led the team with eight points and four rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Her efforts on the offensive end were key to keep the Beavs in the game and then Paurova was one of the primary defenders keeping Zaay Green - who had 17 first-half points for UAPB - in check in the second half.

The Beavers entered halftime trailing 46-33 before turning up the defensive intensity in the second half.

The Beavs posted a 15-2 run midway through the third quarter, keyed by Donovyn Hunter's five assists. The freshman finished the game with 14 points and six assists. Kelsey Rees snagged four rebounds - of her five on the game - and Lily Hansford deposited two shots from behind the arc in the third quarter and three overall, helping OSU to a 30-9 advantage in the period.

Raegan Beers clinched her 15th career double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds, putting her three away from 10th all time at OSU for career double-doubles in only her second season as a Beaver.

Timea Gardiner crashed the boards, claiming six rebounds to go with 11 points. Paurova closed out an excellent debut with 13 total points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Beavs return to Gill Coliseum on Sunday, November 12 to battle 2023 Sweet 16 team Villanova at 1 p.m.

The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, but fans can come and support OSU in one of its marquee non-conference games by purchasing tickets at beavertickets.com.