Beavers Top Cougars Behind Career-Day from Gulich

Friday, December 30

Corvallis, OR

4:00 PM

Oregon State

12-1, 1-0Pac-12

Washington State

5-8, 0-1Pac-12

Washington State

Oregon State

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

December 30, 2016 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Game Notes

Oregon State hosts Washington on Sunday

By: Athletic Communications

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The No. 15/22 Oregon State women's basketball team opened Pac-12 play with an 80-58 win over Washington State Friday evening, behind an outstanding outing from junior center Marie Gulich.

"This was a great atmosphere for basketball," said Oregon State head coach Scott Rueck. "Washington State always gives a great effort, and that wasn't any different tonight. I love the way our team played. Our defense was strong throughout the game, with very few exceptions, and we got some great performances. This game had everything we needed to continue to grow. I'm proud of the team for finding a way to win, and making so many great plays throughout the game."

Gulich set career highs with 27 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. The 6-foot-5 German finished 12-for-15 from the field and hit all three of her free throws.

Freshman Mikayla Pivec filled the stat sheet yet again, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and a block. Fellow freshman Kat Tudor hit three 3-pointers on her way to 11 points, while senior Sydney Wiese ended the evening with eight points, eight assists and five rebounds.

Oregon State held Washington State to 31.7 percent shooting in the game (20-for-63), including 13.3 percent (2-for-15) in the fourth quarter. The Beavers shot 49.2 percent (31-for-63) in the game and 59.2 percent (16-for-27) in the second half.

OSU held a 48-33 edge in rebounds, and provided assists on 22 of their 31 made field goals.

The Cougars got off to a strong start, jumping out to an early 10-2 lead. The Beavers would battle back from there, using a 7-0 run to go in front 14-12. The two sides ended the opening period level at 17.

The two sides traded punches early in the second period, before the Oregon State defense clamped down, holding Washington State scoreless for a six-minute stretch. The Beavers entered the break on a 14-2 run, and took a 35-25 advantage into the intermission. Gulich had 15 points and nine rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

The Cougars got back within five mid-way through the third quarter, and came within a point late in the frame, before the Beavers extended the edge back to six. Oregon State would pull the lead back to double-figures early in the closing frame on a 3-pointer from Wiese. The Beavers continued to build the advantage from there, holding the Cougars to four fourth-quarter point to take the win by 22.

Oregon State will remain at home on Sunday, as it rings in the New Year by taking on fellow 2015-16 Final Four participant No. 9/9 Washington. The game will air live on Pac-12 Networks, and tickets are available at BeaverTickets.com.

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