In a thrilling comeback, Oregon State showcased a balanced scoring attack and sharp shooting to overcome a challenging first half against Pepperdine. Led by Josiah Lake II's standout performance, the Beavers secured an 83-73 victory at Gill Coliseum.
Lake was instrumental, tallying 18 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, spearheading a group of six players who reached double figures-a first for Oregon State this season since February 2025.
Keziah Ekissi and Jorge Diaz Graham were pivotal in the second half, contributing 15 and 13 points respectively. Their efforts were crucial, especially with key players Dez White and Matija Samar sidelined by injuries.
Coach Wayne Tinkle praised his team’s resilience: “Really proud of the effort; backs against the wall, down a couple of key players. We lost our discipline towards the end of the first half but came out strong in the second.”
Oregon State turned the tide with a 47-point second half, shooting an impressive 15 of 25 from the field and 7 of 11 from beyond the arc. Tinkle highlighted the shift in intensity: “We acted like we gave a s---.
First half not so much. We challenged them at halftime.”
Pepperdine’s Aaron Clark was a force with 32 points, while David Mager added 16. Despite leading 42-36 at halftime, the Waves couldn't maintain their momentum.
Oregon State struggled early with turnovers and shooting woes, despite dominating the boards 26-13. However, a 9-0 run in the second half, sparked by Isaiah Sy’s nine points, shifted the game's momentum.
Johan Munch and Olavi Suutela both recorded double-doubles, further solidifying the Beavers' effort. Ekissi’s shooting was clutch, particularly his three-pointer that secured the lead at 69-66 with just over five minutes remaining.
Lake commended Ekissi’s all-around contribution: “He had a great game not just scoring. He was big for me and (Sy) communicating, being that leader. He’s doing a super good job defensively, sharing the ball, and hitting open shots tonight.”
This win reflects Oregon State's depth and determination, setting a positive tone as they head into the final stretch of the season.