The Oregon State women’s basketball team defeated the University of San Francisco Dons Saturday afternoon, 75–53, in a West Coast Conference bout in Gill Coliseum.
The Beavers entered the game in first place in the WCC with a 16-6 record, being 8-1 in conference play. They exit at 17-6, remaining in first place and extending their winning streak to four games.
Oregon State set the tone early. After trading turnovers in the opening minute, the Beavers scored the first basket of the game on a fast-break layup by Jenna Villa.
San Francisco responded quickly, tying the game at 2–2 and briefly taking its largest lead of the night at 6–4 midway through the first quarter following a hook shot by Natasa Tausova for the Dons.
That lead would not just be the largest but also the longest of the contest for the Dons, as OSU led for all but 38 seconds of the game.
Oregon State answered with a run fueled by transition offense and second-chance opportunities. Kennedie Shuler and Ally Schimel combined to spark an 8–0 stretch late in the first quarter, pushing the Beavers ahead 16–8.
Although San Francisco battled back behind baskets from Candy Edokpaigbe and Aina Cargol, Oregon State closed the opening period with a 23–14 gap.
The second quarter featured improved defensive intensity from the Dons, who held Oregon State to just eight points in the period. Olivia Williams provided a steady presence inside, scoring efficiently and controlling the glass, while Tausova knocked down a key three-pointer to trim the deficit.
At halftime, San Francisco trailed 31–28, keeping within striking distance after outscoring the Beavers 14–8 in the second quarter.
Momentum shifted decisively after the break. OSU opened the third quarter with a balanced attack, scoring 23 points in the period and putting the game out of reach. Lizzy Williamson played effectively in the paint, finishing the game with 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds.
Shuler orchestrated the offense, contributing a game-high 19 points and seven assists. Each time the Dons narrowed the margin to single digits, the Beavers responded with baskets, including three-pointers from Schimel and Villa.
In the fourth quarter, Oregon State put the game away with a 13–2 run over a five-minute span, which extended the lead beyond 20 points.
The Dons endured a scoring drought of 2:41 late in the game, while OSU closed out strong with a 7–0 run in the final two minutes to secure the 75–53 final.
Edokpaigbe and Williams led San Francisco with 13 points each; Williams shot an efficient 6-for-7 from the field and added five rebounds. Cargol contributed six points and five assists, while Michelle Ugwah added eight points.
As a team, the Dons shot 37.1 percent from the field and were limited to 3-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Oregon State finished the night shooting 46.8 percent overall and outrebounded San Francisco 42–30. The Beavers recorded 18 assists on 29 made field goals, highlighting their ball movement and offensive balance.
Oregon State will next take a five day break before travelling to Spokane, Washington, to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Thursday, Feb. 5th.
