Oregon State Clipped By Cowboys

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Victor Robbins scored a career-high 16 points but a late rally fell short as Oregon State lost to Oklahoma State, 66-53, on Monday night in the semifinal round of the MGM Grand Main Event.

Oregon State (3-1) kept it close for the majority of the game, and with just 10 minutes to play in the second half, they embarked on an 8-0 run that tied it up at 44.

Oklahoma State (5-0) would answer in a big way, taking advantage of an 11-1 run that gave the Cowboys a 10-point lead at 55-45 with five minutes remaining, which proved insurmountable for the Beavers.

Oregon State was crippled by 17 turnovers that led to 21 points for the Cowboys in a game that featured five ties and nine lead changes.

“I was very proud of our effort," Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle said. "We battled back in the second half to make it 44-44, but the next four possessions we had two turnovers and two bad threes.

"This was a game where we really wanted to gut check our guys. The majority of them really responded, but we need to get where all of them respond. It’s just a shame we shot ourselves in the foot.”

Robbins was aggressive throughout the contest for Oregon State, going 3-for-8 from the field, 9-for-12 from the stripe, and pulling down six boards.

“We challenged Victor because he wasn’t great the other night," Tinkle said. "I told him that one thing about our staff is we are never going to bury you. Tomorrow is a new day and we’ll give you a new opportunity. He’s been focused and energetic so he was rewarded tonight, not with playing time but with success."

Gary Payton II played well for the Beavers, tallying 10 points (4-for-7), six rebounds and an assist on the night. Langston Morris-Walker added 13 points, four rebounds and two assists for Oregon State.

Le’Bryan Nash was dominant for Oklahoma State, recording a game-high 19 points (6-for-10) and grabbing 6 rebounds. Phil Forte also contributed, scoring 17 points after a 4-for-11 shooting performance.

Olaf Schaftenaar got the Beavs started with a nifty and-one, making it the second consecutive game that he put Oregon State ahead with a three-point play in the first moments of the contest.

Oregon State found energy from Robbins in the first frame, as he helped push the Beavs out to an 8-0 run and 16-9 lead with just under nine minutes left in the half.

Oklahoma State would answer, going on a 7-0 to run that tied the contest at 18 at the 6:56 mark.

At the intermission, the Cowboys carried a 30-24 advantage into the locker room after a buzzer beating jumper from Nash found the back of the net at the end of the opening period.

Payton II drilled his first three as a Beaver just a minute into the final frame that brought Oregon State within four, 33-29.

Oklahoma State would embark on an 8-0 run, but Robbins answered with a corner three, bringing the score to 44-39 with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Despite tying it up with 10 minutes to go, Oklahoma State would ultimately take control down the stretch, making the most out of each possession, which ultimately pushed the Cowboys to victory.

Up next, the Beavers will face Auburn for the first time in history, when they meet in the MGM Grand Main Event consolation game on Wednesday at 6 p.m. It will be televised on ESPN3.

Oregon State is offering an exclusive #Commit2Wayne ticket plan that provides fans with season tickets for a flat $199 (tickets were $364 last season). The price will gradually step up the following seasons ($249, $299, $349) but remain affordable, and there is no obligation to commit to all four years.

Season tickets will be $349 next year and beyond for fans who do not take advantage of this unique opportunity this year. Fans can secure their season tickets for a $25 deposit by calling 800-GO-BEAVS or visiting beavertickets.com.