At Gill Coliseum on Saturday, Oregon State’s men’s basketball team began the month of December with a workmanlike performance, defeating Idaho 78-62 in the second half.
Michael Rataj scored 14 points and Parsa Fallah scored 25 as the Beavers (6-2) won their sixth straight game by double figures.
The Beavers have begun at least 6-2 for the fifth time in coach Wayne Tinkle’s 11-year tenure at OSU. In 2019–20, they had a 7–1 start over eight games.
After leading by six points at the half, Oregon State easily took control of the game by building a 60-43 lead halfway through the second half. The Beavers had a 24-point lead at one point.
In November, the Beavers defense, which was ranked among the best in the nation statistically, caused 16 turnovers and held Idaho to 43% (22 of 51 shooting). Among Division I teams, OSU is ranked 12th in field goal defense and sixth in scoring defense.
Tyler Mrus led Idaho (4-6) with 15 points.
Despite a late first-half comeback by Idaho, Oregon State led 36–30 at the break.
Before the Beavers took control, the teams traded the lead multiple times in the first seven minutes. After a 7-0 run, Josiah Lake II made a three-pointer to put OSU ahead 22-15. With three minutes to go, a layup by Fallah increased the score to 32–22.
In the closing minutes, the Vandals added interest by going on an 8-1 run to go within three. On Oregon State’s last possession, Lelevicius made a three-pointer to increase the halftime lead.
The first ten minutes of the second half saw a surge from the Beavers. With its lead down to four points, OSU took a 43-32 lead with a 7-0 sput. When Rataj scored six points during a 14-2 run a few minutes later, the 12-point advantage grew to 67-43.
Next Saturday’s game versus UC Irvine at Gill Coliseum at 2:00 p.m. is a significant test for Oregon State. Given that the Anteaters (9-0) are the Big West preseason favorites and ranked No. 24 in the NCAA NET rankings, it is one of the Beavers’ hardest nonconference games.
The contact information for Nick Daschel is 360-607-4824, [email protected], or @nickdaschel.
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