Oregon St. outlives No. 16 Gonzaga in OT upset
Jan 17, 2025, 02:10 AM ET
CORVALLIS, Ore.– Michael Rataj had a career-high 29 points and Oregon State pulled away late in overtime to beat No. 16 Gonzaga 97-89 on Thursday night.Nate Kingz added
20 points for the Beavers(14-5, 4-2 West Coast Conference ), who were enhanced by a sellout crowd at Gill Coliseum.Head coach Wayne Tinkle acknowledged it was a meaningful success for Oregon State, which has actually gone 27-68 the past three seasons, including 3-28 in the 2021-22 season.”It’s an incredible benefit after the crap that we’ve gone through the last three years as a program,”Tinkle said.” The method this team has gone about its work, they’re so deserving.” Graham Ike had 26 points and nine rebounds for Gonzaga(14-5, 5-1)before fouling out in overtime. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak.Braden Huff’s jumper got Gonzaga to 91-89 with 57 seconds left in the extra period, but Liutauras Lelevicius addressed with a layup for the Beavers. Oregon State closed out the game with totally free tosses before fans rushed the court.It was tight throughout. Oregon State connected it at 77 on Damarco Minor’s jumper, then went ahead on Rataj’s basket with 1:39 left.Ben Gregg made a 3-pointer for Gonzaga with 21 seconds delegated narrow it to 81-80. After Lake made complimentary throws, Ike hit a 3 that sent it to OT tied at 83. Takeaways Gonzaga: The Bulldogs
play Oregon State this season and next in the WCC, before they sign up with the Beavers and Washington State as non-football members of the rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026. Oregon State: The last meeting between the two groups was in the 1991-92 season, at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers have won 13 straight meetings. Gonzaga’s last win remained in 1932. Key minute Ike’s 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation sent it to OT. Ike made simply 7 3-pointers all last season.Key stat The loss snapped a Gonzaga’s 11-game winning streak in true road games.Up next Gonzaga hosts Santa Clara on Saturday.Oregon State sees San Francisco on Saturday.The Associated Press contributed to this report.