ALBANY, N.Y. — It wasn’t purported to be straightforward. Oregon State made positive of it.
In some ways, the Beavers appeared like the perfect workforce Friday afternoon of their girls’s NCAA Event regional semifinal towards Notre Dame at MVP Area.
Finally, OSU proved it with a 70-65 win.
Oregon State pounded Notre Dame on the boards, and shot a heady 60%. The Beavers pissed off Notre Dame’s shooters, permitting the Irish to make solely 36% of their photographs.
However each time it appeared like Oregon State had an Elite Eight in its future, right here got here a turnover. And one other. And one other.
By recreation’s finish, the Beavers had a season-high 26 turnovers — which led to 27 factors for Notre Dame.
4 Beavers had at the very least 4 turnovers every. They got here early, they got here late and so they got here typically. Oregon State had 12 turnovers within the first half, 14 within the second half.
“I felt like we had been the higher workforce on the market,” junior guard Talia von Oelhoffen stated. “Clearly, turnovers had been the worst class and the one cause this recreation was shut. That’s on us. These are errors that we made.”
Due to the capturing, the protection, the rebounding, von Oelhoffen stated, “truthfully, it felt dominant.”
It might have been with out the 26 turnovers. Von Oelhoffen didn’t fully blame Oregon State, saying Notre Dame sped up the sport, forcing the Beavers into dangerous selections. She stated the Beavers knew that will be the case, as a result of “they weren’t going to have the ability to guard our units.”
And but, it occurred.
“It was a very good lesson for us,” von Oelhoffen stated.
Freshman level guard Donovyn Hunter thought each groups contributed to the turnover mountain.
“The constructive out of all of that was we bought it out of our system,” stated Hunter, who had 4 turnovers throughout 32 minutes of motion.
The turnovers bought a bit comical towards the tip. Oregon State was nailed twice for 10-second backcourt violations. OSU coach Scott Rueck thought Notre Dame modified its press a pair instances, and it confused the Beavers. He needed to stifle no matter ideas he had on the time.
“I believed my function at the moment was to not be emotional for positive, to not pile on. These had been clearly distinctive,” Rueck stated. “My remark was get it throughout (halfcourt). Let’s go.”
Rueck was requested if afterward he was pondering extra in regards to the 26 turnovers, the capturing share or the ultimate rating.
“The ultimate rating, truthfully,” he stated. “That’s the factor. We’re comparatively younger, all through this roster. This yr has been managing issues which can be new.”
Rueck admitted that, at instances, the Beavers appeared younger. However the one unfavourable of 26 turnovers couldn’t spoil what was terrific play in so many different methods, beginning with protection.
“The best way this workforce has purchased into the opposite finish of the ground,” Rueck stated, “the protection has carried us on these nights.”
— Nick Daschel covers Oregon State athletics, particularly soccer and basketball, and will be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.
Our journalism wants your help. Subscribe at present to OregonLive.com.
Newest Beavers information
MORE BEAVERS COVERAGE