In their final home showing of the 2024-25 season, the Oregon State men’s basketball team fell short in a 72-74 loss to the San Francisco Dons. 

The Beavers would come out of the gate and command an early lead to start the first half. However, a strong rally by the Dons, led by the team’s leading scorer Malik Thomas, who had eight in the first half, stormed back and took the lead 33-31 at halftime.

A 16-3 run favoring the Dons would be how the first half would finish, leaving the Beavers needing to find some life in the second half. Shooting just 46% from the field and 29% from the free throw line.

“We didn’t get the looks that we wanted, and that had the big effect on letting up shots down the stretch,” said head coach Wayne Tinkle on his team losing the lead as the half’s final minutes ticked down. 

The second half would begin the fireworks show. The Dons would run out a seven-point lead to start before OSU would come back and tie. The two teams would proceed to tie six times in the second half.

Parsa Fallah would dominate with a 24-point game. After another tie, the Dons would shoot one last three to take a two-point lead. Fallah would have a chance to send it to overtime, but as the final buzzer would sound, his last shot was ruled incomplete, and the possible overtime matchup was halted, leaving OSU with a loss 72-74. 

“We broke back in the second half but gave up some (points) unguarded,” said Tinkle on their second-half performance, “I think we played better defensively than we wanted but let too many go away.” 

Tinkle mentioned in regards to looking ahead after the tough loss, “15 home wins is impressive, however there is plenty of season left. Let’s not forget that.”

The Beavers will wave Gill goodbye for the final time this season and head on the road for their last regular-season matchup against No. 23 Saint Marys on March 1.