Filed under: USC, Pac-10, Oregon State
It's been a while. Clearly change has come. Not simply to that place where Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson's brother-in-law will be taking up residence, but in Corvallis as well. The Beavers had not won a game within the Pac-10 in 23 months. The last time was a home win over Washington in late-February 2007. A span of 21 games.
It had to end sometime. So why not against a team many pegged for the top-25, but now looks like a surefire bubble team. Oregon State knocked off USC in overtime, 62-58.
Oregon State made it a complete defensive game. Every possession was contested. Both sides had to use most of the shot clock to get an attempt. It wasn't a case where the teams just couldn't make a basket. Oregon State shot 50% and USC hit 44%. Neither side got many opportunities.
While both teams relied heavily on frontcourt play, the game was ultimately decided by the backcourt and perimeter shooting. Oregon State's Roeland Schaftenaar hit a three with four seconds left to force overtime and then Omari Lawrence hit a tying three after USC's DeMar DeRozan missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Despite only being tied, USC panicked and settled for jumpers. Oregon State's guard Calvin Haynes, countered with two straight drives to the basket for lay-ins.
Oregon State Finally Wins in the Pac-10 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
