The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Oregon State Closes First Half Strong, Defeats Mississippi Valley State 81-65
By Piper Rampage
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State used a 10-0 run to close the first half and built its lead as high as 26 before defeating Mississippi Valley State 81-65 at Gill Coliseum.
The Beavers improved to 4-0, while Mississippi Valley State fell to 0-4.
Mississippi Valley State had cut the margin to 35-31 with about four minutes remaining in the first half, but Oregon State answered immediately. The Beavers scored the final 10 points of the half to take a 45-31 lead into the break.
Oregon State continued to build its advantage in the second half, eventually pushing the lead to 26. Mississippi Valley State finished on a 13-3 run over the final 3:43, but the late push was not enough to overcome the earlier deficit.
Legend Smiley led Oregon State with 18 points off the bench, shooting 7-of-12 from the field. Daniel Freitag added 17 points, Chris Johnson scored 13 and DeShawn Gory contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Matt Anglo led Mississippi Valley State with 16 points. AJ Abrams added 15, while Tory James Jr. scored 12 points and made four three-pointers.
The Beavers scored 45 points in the first half and 36 in the second. Mississippi Valley State recorded 31 before halftime and 34 after it, with the late run narrowing the final margin.
Oregon State’s balanced scoring featured four players in double figures. Smiley’s 18 points off the bench led the way, while Freitag, Johnson and Gory provided additional production.
The decisive sequence came before halftime. Mississippi Valley State had moved within four, but Oregon State’s 10-0 closing run turned the game into a 14-point halftime advantage and set up the unbeaten Beavers’ fourth victory.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
From The Library — the estate of our family.
