The Oregon State women’s basketball team squared off against the No. 9 team in the nation, the USC Women of Troy, on Friday night in downtown Los Angeles.

The Beavers led the game for all but one minute of the first half and continued to hold a tight lead until late in the third quarter when USC superstar JuJu Watkins began to take over. The fourth quarter saw five lead changes before USC ultimately got the win 56-54.

Thanks to playmaker Talia Von Oelhoffen, the Beavs entered the matchup fifth in the nation in assists. Von Oelhoffen was effective once again, finishing the game with 18 points and six assists.

Watkins has led USC in scoring in every game but one this season and entered the game as the number two scorer in the nation as she led the game with 28 points and five blocks.

“I feel like I just went 10 rounds of a heavyweight fight,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “Scott is a terrific coach… They have tremendous size, and (Raegan) Beers is one of the best post players we’ll face this year. Overall it felt more like an Oregon State game that we had to win than a USC game, so credit to them.” 

PAC-12 rebound leader Reagan Beers picked up a foul early and was subbed out just a minute and a half into the first quarter. Timea Gardiner would step in and eventually help lead the team with 10 boards.

Oregon State entered the game 12-0 for just the second time in school history, whereas USC’s only prior loss was against cross-town rival UCLA. The matchup was just the second game of PAC-12 play for both teams, where Oregon State now stands at 1-1 in the conference and 12-1 on the season.

The Beavers will stay in Southern California as they face off against the No. 2 UCLA Bruins on Sunday before heading home to Corvallis.