The Oregon State Beavers moved to 2-0 with a 63-56 victory over the Villanova Wildcats at Gill Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
This matchup came to the Beavers as a test – an early test, early in the season against a strong team.
“There was a cool feel within this group today, they understood the challenge…We tweeted ‘early season test’ and that’s what it was today,” head coach Scott Rueck said.
“Villanova is an excellent team, a team that won 30 games last season,” said Rueck.
While there may have been a slow start for the Beavers as they were behind by one point at the end of both the first and second quarter, there were a few three-pointers for the Beavers that would prove to be game-changers.
One from junior Talia von Oelhoffen went in as the buzzer went off at the end of the third quarter from the Beaver logo at center court.
Junior Kelsey Rees towards the end of the third quarter hit a big three of her own to advance a Beavers scoring run that put them ahead of the Wildcats.
After getting hit in the second quarter and receiving stitches, sophomore Lily Hansford returned to the game and sank a big three of her own.
“It was unique. It was really cool to see people stepping up and knocking down shots I think that’s not an easy thing to do…Talia made a really hard one…to have the confidence the knock that down, that just shows the maturity of this team and having the confidence to hit those shots like Lily did, like Talia did, and like Kelsey did,” said sophomore forward Reagan Beers.
This Beavers team has a young feel to it, as Rueck has noted, but with players like Rees who transferred from a Utah champion team, she adds “experience and wisdom” to this team.
“Most of our team is fairly young…half of our team is new so her (Rees) words of wisdom have carried a lot of weight with the group from inside the locker room,” said Rueck.
Beaver Nation’s enthusiasm throughout the contest gave the squad the boost they needed to seal their victory.
“So proud of our team and it was super fun to be back in front of Beaver Nation. Gill had an electricity today that was special,” said Rueck on the rowdiness of Gill this afternoon.
Up next, the Beavers face UC Davis this Friday back in Gill Coliseum at 6:00 p.m.