A Thrilling Comeback for Oregon State Women’s Basketball

In a nail-biting showdown on Saturday in Malibu, California, the Oregon State women’s basketball team managed to pull off a thrilling 69-68 victory over the Pepperdine Waves. This win improved their record to 6-1 in West Coast Conference (WCC) play, showcasing their resilience and determination.

The game started with both teams displaying strong defensive efforts, especially in the second quarter. Scoring slowed down significantly, but standout performances from Jenna Villa of the Beavers and Seleh Harmon of the Waves kept the game competitive. Villa contributed eight points in the second quarter, which accounted for half of Oregon State’s scoring during that period, while Harmon matched her with five points. The Beavers ended the first half with a narrow 36-35 lead, thanks to an Ally Schimel layup.

A Challenging Third Quarter

The third quarter proved to be a tough stretch for Oregon State as their shooting faltered. For much of the period, the Beavers could only manage a jumper and a layup early on, allowing Pepperdine to dominate the scoreboard. The Waves built a 14-point lead before Jenna Villa finally broke the drought with a three-pointer. Despite a late surge from the Beavers, they entered the fourth quarter trailing 56-47.

A Fourth Quarter Comeback

The fourth quarter saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Lara Alonso got the Beavers going with a three-pointer and a layup, setting the stage for a comeback. Layups from Jenna Villa and Kennedie Shuler brought the score within two points, and Elli Guiney hit a three to extend the lead back to five. Alonso and Villa continued to chip away at the deficit with layups, narrowing the gap to just one point. An Alonso free throw tied the game with over two minutes remaining on the clock.

Final Moments and Overtime Drama

Bella Green gave Pepperdine the lead again with a layup, but Villa responded with two free throws to tie the game once more. Lina Falk then hit a three to put the Waves back in front with 1:11 left in the game. With just 10 seconds remaining, Jenna Villa hit a layup while drawing a foul, making the free throw to tie the game at 68.

It looked like the game would head to overtime, but with less than a second on the clock, Villa was fouled on an Oregon State inbound attempt, giving her two free throw attempts. She made one of them, leaving Pepperdine with 0.3 seconds to take the lead back. Meghan Fiso missed the final shot, securing the 69-68 victory for the Beavers.

Key Performances

Jenna Villa was once again the star of the game, leading the team with 25 points, four rebounds, and an assist. Kennedie Shuler delivered a solid performance with 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Lara Alonso had one of her best games as a Beaver, contributing 10 points and six rebounds.

Upcoming Challenges

The Beavers have their eyes on the next big challenge, as they prepare to face Gonzaga on Thursday night. The game will be crucial for the team as they look to maintain their position in the WCC standings. Tip-off is set for 6 PM PT at Gill.

For more updates and insights on the Oregon State women’s basketball team, keep an eye on the latest news and analysis.