On a snowy Thursday night in Corvallis, the Gonzaga University women’s basketball team sought revenge against the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday night in Gill Coliseum. 

The first-place Zags pulled off a 66-62 overtime win in a game in which the lead changed 11 times. 

“It’s a tough one to lose,” OSU head coach Scott Rueck said. “You gotta give Gonzaga a lot of credit for fighting hard tonight and making plays.” 

The Zags extended their winning streak to 12 games. Their last loss was in overtime against the Beavers on Jan. 28. 

At the end of regulation, a controversial shooting foul, according to the uproar of Gill Coliseum, on Gonzaga’s Yvonne Ejim left the game tied at 58-58 with 9.8 seconds left on the clock.

The Beavs were unable to convert, sending another game this season to overtime. 

“I don’t want a call. I don’t need a call. I just want what’s fair,” Rueck said. “I thought it was called in a very physical way, and we had a hard time getting any position on the floor.” 

A pivotal moment in overtime rang in another controversial call against the Beavers. A shooting foul was called on the Brazilian guard Catarina Ferreria, allowing Ejim to step up to the line again and drain two free throws to solidify the Zags’ win. 

“For the game to come down to a call that we’ve all seen, we all know that it was clean. It sucks,” Rueck said. “I just feel terrible for these girls. We know how great Gonzaga is, and we played well enough to win.” 

Gonzaga and Oregon State’s defenses are ranked no. 1 and 2 in the West Coast Conference, with both teams allowing an average of less than 62 points per game. 

Both defenses shined in the first half, ending the second quarter 25-22 Beavs.

“We got beat on the boards (last game) up there by 12, and I thought offensive rebounds were the reason Gonzaga was able to come back in the fourth,” Rueck said. “But I thought rebounding was one of the areas where we have really grown.”

The Beavers out-rebounded the Zags 36 to 34, and Ferreria gathered 10 on the night. 

Ejim seemed like the only Zag who could crack OSU’s defense. She scored 31 points on the night, including four of the game’s most crucial points.

 “A lot of people got to come out and see what was a really entertaining basketball game,” Reuck said. “Gonzaga is obviously a very good team, and they have a clear star.” 

On Feb. 6, Ejim became the all-time scoring leader for Gonzaga women’s basketball. 

She stands alone in the West Coast Conference in scoring, averaging 22.6 points per game and a total of 317 points this season. 

Nationally, Ejim ranks seventh in points scored and 10th in points per game.

Both defenses let up to begin the third, with Gonzaga doubling their first-half score and Oregon State shooting 50% at the end of the quarter.

Despite the loss, senior guard Tiara Bolden had herself two impressive fastbreaks off steals and recorded 16 points. 

AJ Marotte followed suit with 18 points and three three-pointers

“I felt very confident about how we’re playing and how everyone’s attitude is,” senior guard Marotte said. “I think we came out very strong, just like we said we would, and I’m really proud of how we fought.”

The Beavers and the Zags have a chance to settle the score in early March during the West Conference Tournament.

“I want it bad, and I know the team wants it too,” Marotte said. “My mom was the first person I saw after the game, and I told her we’ll get them again; I’m ready to see them again.”

The Beavers continue their homestand against Santa Clara next Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.