Beavers Triumph in Overtime Thriller Against San Diego
In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Oregon State Beavers men's basketball team emerged victorious with a 92-82 win over San Diego at Gill Coliseum. This was no ordinary victory; it was a rollercoaster that saw the Beavers pull ahead, only for the Toreros to claw back and force the game into overtime.
Isaiah Sy was a standout performer, notching a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jorge Diaz Graham, playing his final game at Gill Coliseum, delivered 17 points on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting night.
Johan Munch led the scoring with 19 points and added eight rebounds, while Josiah Lake II contributed 15 points and nine assists. Olavi Suutela rounded out the double-figure scorers with 14 points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field.
The Beavers were firing on all cylinders, shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and dominating the paint with a 32-14 scoring advantage. They also controlled the boards, out-rebounding San Diego 40-30.
This win propels Oregon State to a 16-14 record for the season and a 9-8 mark in WCC play, placing them fourth in the conference standings.
The game was a seesaw battle from the start. The Toreros took an early 11-9 lead, but the Beavers responded, leading 23-22 midway through the first half. By halftime, Oregon State had edged ahead 35-32, thanks in part to Munch's 11 first-half points and Suutela's 10.
Sy opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers, extending the Beavers' lead to nine. Although Oregon State pushed the lead to double digits, an 8-0 run by San Diego brought them back within two. Sy and Lake's consecutive three-point plays then restored a seven-point cushion for the Beavers.
With less than a minute left, Oregon State led by eight, but San Diego's quick three-pointers tightened the gap. The Toreros hit a buzzer-beating three to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Beavers tightened their defense and secured the win, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Before the game, Oregon State honored seniors Jorge Diaz Graham and Malcolm Christie in a heartfelt pregame ceremony. The Beavers will look to close out their regular season on a high note as they head to Santa Clara on Saturday.
Go Beavs!