SPOKANE, Wash. – Oregon State’s 12-point comeback in the final three minutes brought together contributors from near and far to defeat WCC preseason number one Gonzaga 71-67 in overtime.
“I’m incredibly proud of this team and elated for them,” head coach
Scott Rueck expressed. “This has been a struggle. We have exerted immense effort to reach a point where we can triumph over a solid team in their home arena.”
From close by, Gresham’s
Kennedie Shuler made significant contributions with three assists and game-tying free throws that crucially sent the match into overtime. In the additional period, she provided three more assists – part of a team-high eight – and scored four points, including two more at the free-throw line to elevate the Beavs by four with 27.6 seconds remaining.
“I’m so impressed with the resilience that Kennedie demonstrated today, stepping up and hitting critical threes and converting vast free throws,” Rueck added.
Only 15 minutes from Shuler’s hometown,
Ally Schimel spent her youth sinking threes in Corbett. The freshman started the season on shaky ground, hitting less than 20 percent from beyond the arc as she built her confidence.
On Saturday, she appeared as a veteran when she netted the go-ahead three in overtime and effectively contained Gonzaga’s Allie Turner with 24.7 seconds left. Turner was 5-for-9 from long distance, but Schimel prevented her from even touching the ball until 15 crucial seconds had gone by.
“Ally’s threes were monumental,” Shuler noted in the postgame interview. “She’s an excellent shooter and just needed that boost of confidence to make them. I’m so proud of her. She feels like a younger sister to me”
From afar,
Kelsey Rees put up an impressive show with her father and brother watching from Australia. The senior achieved 21 points with nine rebounds and converted 7-of-10 shots from the field. She also drew eight fouls, some of which led to reigning WCC Player of the Year Yvonne Ejim fouling out in overtime.
In the final stretch, Rees went on a personal 6-0 run to bring the Beavs within four. The senior hit a three-pointer, a layup, and a free throw to set the stage for Shuler and
Tiara Bolden at the charity stripe.
“It was a standout performance from Kelsey. Her putback (in overtime) was incredible and got our momentum in motion. I’m extremely proud of her,” Shuler expressed.
Bolden, a local from Eugene, scored 10 points, including two at the free-throw line to narrow the deficit to two points with 54 seconds remaining. She also secured three steals, with one at 1:06 left that clinched a vital stop.
The Beavers will return to the Beaver State on Monday to face the undefeated Portland. OSU will match up against the Pilots at 6 p.m.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics is dedicated to Building Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).