Oregon State uses key 19-4 run to squash Cal

 The tone for an offensive brawl was set in the first quarter of the game as both Cal and Oregon State came out hot, combining for 32 points. But it was ultimately the Beavers who were able to keep their offensive pace as they ran away from the Golden Bears with a 70-48 victory.

Senior center Ruth Hamblin was the focal point of OSU’s (13-3, 3-1 Pac-12) offense early, as she started 3-of-3 from the floor.

However, the tone of the game changed after the first when Cal’s (10-6, 1-4)offense began to falter, scoring only 12 points in the second quarter, followed by nine in the third.

Cal was led early by freshman center Kristine Anigwe, as she started off hot scoring eight points in the first quarter, but didn’t score in the second.

The Bears struggled with OSU’s 2-3 zone in the second quarter and weren’t able to find their offensive footing, including having a four minute scoring drought late in the second.

The Beavers used a 7-0 run late in the second quarter to take a nine point lead into halftime.

OSU was paced by junior guard Gabriella Hanson as she had a career-high 20  points including 13 in the first half.

Hanson was hot from the field, going 4-for-7from the 3 point line and8-of-12 from the floor en route to a career high 20 points.

“There was an emphasis on knocking down shots and my teammates did a great job of finding me,” Hanson said. “Anytime we can get the ball inside out, those are great shots for us.”

In the third  OSU’s defense held true again, holding Cal to only nine points in the quarter and the Beavers then took control of the game, using a 19-4 run over the course of the third.

Head coach Scott Rueck said that the run in the third quarter was key for OSU to seal the deal.

“It was a beautiful stretch of basketball,” Rueck said. “We came out of the locker room with a man defense and we locked them down. We had such a nice flow, and that was one of the better stretches of the season.”

Anigwe rediscovered her offensive groove in the second half, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

However it was junior forward Courtney Range led Cal offensively scoring 17 points and adding nine rebounds.

Sophomore forward Mikayla Cowling also reached double figures for the Bears scoring 10points.

Hamblin finished with 15points for OSU, reaching double figures for her third consecutive game.

Senior guard Jamie Weisner scored in double digits for OSU and played a key role in getting OSU, scoring 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

“We have been emphasizing offense the last couple weeks,” Weisner said. “Being able to move the ball like that and score was a lot of fun.”

The fourth quarter was merely a formality as the Beavers led by 19 points entering the fourth quarter. Both teams offered their starters some rest before their next contests.

Cal presented a tough challenge for the Beavers, but Rueck knew that his upperclassmen gave OSU the edge.

“This is a veteran team and they have seen it all and they have been through all the wars,” Rueck said. “When you can lean on veterans like this, you’d be surprised if you didn’t handle the game well.”