Second half comeback lifts Beavers past Ducks for 11th straight time

Sunday’s crowd of 2,806 at Matthew Knight Arena, with a solid showing of orange and black, wasn’t nearly as big as the 4,462 in attendance for Friday’s Civil War at Gill Coliseum, but the result was no different. Oregon State’s second-half run and fan support fueled a 59-45 win for the fifth straight season sweep and 11th straight victory against Oregon.

The Ducks (11-4, 0-4 Pac-12) didn’t get blown out like they did against OSU (12-3, 3-1) on the opening game of the Civil War series, but still found themselves on the losing end thanks to a balanced effort on the part of the Beavers. All seven players that scored had at least seven points, and most players contributed in rebounding and assists as well. 

“We talked about balance going into this weekend,” said head coach Scott Rueck. “We talked about needing it from everyone, and everybody contributed.”

Senior center Ruth Hamblin and junior guard Gabriella Hanson led the way for the Beavers with 12 points each, along with 11 from senior guard Jamie Weisner. Hamblin had nine rebounds, and freshman guard Katie McWilliams was the leading passer with five assists.

The Ducks were resilient Sunday and led the Beavers 25-24 at the halftime break because of a 13-7 advantage in the second quarter. It was the first time since Jan.11 of the 2013-2014 season that OSU has trailed the Ducks at halftime, partly due to Oregon’s ability to create pressure and turnovers in the halfcourt set. At the intermission, the Beavers had 11 turnovers, nine of which were steals. In total, the Duck’s had 11 steals to OSU’s four.

“We knew they were going to come after us,” Rueck said of the first-half deficit. “I didn’t love the way that we handled that pressure, necessarily, but then again it’s not surprising as you’re on the road in a Pac-12 game. They were very physical with us that quarter, so that was basically the challenge to play through that.”

The second half was claimed by the Beavers, who committed only five turnovers in the final 20 minutes. They took a 38-31 lead going into the fourth quarter and they never had a smaller lead after. That third period proved to be the clincher that continues the lengthy success OSU has had over the Ducks.

“I just felt we had a different focus,” Hamblin said on the deciding second half. “We were really sharp and dialed in on all our plays and our execution was great.”

Four seniors — forwards Deven Hunter and Samantha Siegner, Weisner and Hamblin — completed the career sweep over the Ducks and established themselves as the reigning victor again in the age-old college rivalry.

“I think it’s huge,” Weisner said. “I think all of us came off the court with big smiles on our faces and it’s huge just to do it for our fans. You know they’re here with us through it all and that’s the biggest game of the season for them. To have a bunch of Oregon State fans behind us in the crowd is huge and we love doing it for them.”

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