College Hoops Roundup: Beavs still undefeated

Published 7:00 pm Sunday, December 10, 2023

All eight of Oregon’s Division I rivals were back in action this week, here is the rundown of the games played. 

Oregon State

Men’s

Oregon State’s men’s squad started off the week with a double overtime thriller versus Cal Poly, taking a 70-63 game. 

Oregon State pulled out the win despite not recording a single 3-pointer on ten attempts. Out of their 70 points, 52 came on the interior and 14 were recorded on free throws. Only two baskets, both courtesy of Jordan Pope, came outside of the paint. 

The lead changed 18 times over the course of the contest before the Beavers pulled away in the second overtime period, holding Cal Poly to just three points.

Michael Rataj played the most minutes he had all year, on the court for 42 of the contest. He recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Oregon State in both categories. 

Rataj came back the next night to give the Beavers another 32 minutes of his services in a 74-72 win over Utah Valley. 

The sophomore forward was good for another double-double, this time with 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

Oregon State was able to find their shot from behind the arc, making seven 3’s on 18 attempts, five of which came in the second half. 

The Beavers will get over a week off before their next matchup versus UTSA Sunday, Dec. 17 at 12 p.m. It will be the third game of a seven game homestand in Corvallis. 

Women’s 

Oregon State’s women’s squad played a single game on the week, taking a 78-58 win over Jackson State. 

Raegan Beers, who has recorded a double-double in every game this season, was limited to just 18 total minutes with foul trouble. A pair of Beavers were both however able to earn themselves double-doubles and navigate the squad to a win in Beers’s absence. 

Kelsey Rees pulled down 12 rebounds and 12 points, while Timea Gardiner came off the bench in Beers’s spot to record 15 points and 15 boards. 

Oregon State, now 7-0, has one game remaining in their eight game homestand to begin the season. They’ll host 8-2 Santa Clara Friday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. 

Portland 

Men’s 

The Pilots opened up the week with a 80-58 loss to Air Force at home before heading out to the flickertail state for a pair of games versus North Dakota State and North Dakota. 

Portland dropped their game versus NDSU 78-67 as the Bison were able to shoot the Pilots out of Fargo Thursday, Dec. 7. 

NDSU pulled up from behind the arc 33 times, making 12. The Pilots attempted as many 3’s as the Bison made. Despite Portland’s a higher shooting percentage from deep — 41% to NDSU’s 36% — the sheer volume from the Bison was enough to take down the Pilots. 

Portland was able to bounce back from the loss with a 83-72 win over North Dakota Saturday, Dec. 9. 

Portland guard Vukasin Masic put on a show in front of the Fighting Hawks’ home crowd as he dropped 32 and shot 50% from behind the arc. The Serbia-native also recorded four assists and five rebounds in the win. 

The Pilotsm now 6-5, will stay on their month-long roadtrip that won’t see them take the court at the Chiles Center until 2024. Their next game will come in Phoenix, Arizona versus Grand Canyon University Saturday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. 

Women’s

The Portland women were on a road trip of their own to the lone star state, playing Stephen F. Austin and UTEP. 

The Pilots dropped the opening game to Stephen F. Austin 76-71 Thursday, Dec. 7. Despite the close score, the lead only changed hands three times as the Lumberjacks were able to hold off Portland. 

Four Pilots — Dyani Ananeiv, Emme Sheaer, McKelle Meek and Kennedy Dickie — all scored over ten points despite the loss. 

Two nights later, Portland pulled off a 68-63 overtime win over UTEP. 

Portland’s bench was good for 29 points in the contest, as Kianna Hamilton spearheaded the effort with 15 — good for second on the team in scoring. Kennedy Dickie was the leader with 16. 

UTEP’s bench didn’t see much action in the fair offensively, despite Delma Zita and Dunja Zecevic playing 28 and 18 minutes respectively . 

6-5 Portland’s next game will come against Stanford Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in Palo Alto. 

Oregon 

Men’s 

A 43-point second half propelled Oregon’s mens squad to a 71-49 home win over UTEP Saturday, Dec. 9.

Jermaine Couisnard posted his second-highest points total of the season with his 18 in 33 minutes. The guard also recorded three assists, five rebounds and five steals. Couisnard wasn’t the only player to come away with five steals, as Kwame Evans Jr. matched him as the Ducks recorded 11 total on the night. 

The Oregon offense exploded in the second half after UTEP played the Ducks close in the first. They shot 55% from the field in the second half on 27 attempts, taking 10 extra shots compared to the first half and making six more. 

Oregon’s three-game homestand will come to an end Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. when they host California Baptist. 

Women’s 

The Oregon women played three games, dropping a road bout with No. 13 Baylor 71-51 before returning to Matthew Knight Arena for a pair of wins over Idaho and Portland State. 

The Ducks took a 59-51 win over Idaho behind a pair of double-doubles from Phillipina Kyei and Grace VanSlooten. 

Kyei recored 16 points and 17 boards while VanSlooten was good for 17 and 10. Chance Gray was ultimately the one who led the Ducks in scoring with 20 and was the one member of the team to make a 3-pointer on 11 attempts by the team. 

Oregon turned around and less than 24 hours later took to the court again for a 65-54 win over in-state opponent Oregon State. 

Now sitting at 6-3, Oregon will conclude their three-game homestand by hosting Southern University Monday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. 

Portland State

Men’s

The men’s squad for Portland State picked up a pair of wins over two in-state Division III programs, Lewis and Clark and George Fox. 

The Vikings put up 104 points while allowing only 60 to Lewis and Clark Wednesday, Dec. 6. 

It was a team affair for Portland State as 11 different players all recorded a basket and a rebound in the contest. In total, the Portland State bench was good for 51 points. 

Center Hayden Curtiss made his first start of the season in the contest and led the team in scoring with 19 points, shooting 80% from the field. 

The following night it was Jorell Saterfield who led the Vikings in scoring, dropping 25 in an 83-77 win over George Fox. 

Saterfield, Curtiss and Hunter Woods all recorded double-doubles in the game as the trio combined for 51 points and 31 rebounds enroute to the win. In total, the Vikings were able to overpower the DIII Bruins, out rebounding them 49-31 and outscoring them in the paint 44-30. 

With the wins, Portland State improves to 8-2 on the season. 

Like their crosstown rival Portland, Portland State has played their last home game in 2023. They’ll now head out on a five game roadtrip, beginning with San Diego Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. 

Women’s 

The Portland State women played one game, a loss in Eugune to Oregon, 65-54. 

Their next game will come at home versus Bushnell Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.