Thompson Jr. Sets Career High Against UCLA

Friday, December 30

Corvallis, OR

8:00 PM

Oregon State

4-11, 0-2Pac-12

UCLA

14-1, 1-1Pac-12

UCLA

Oregon State

Stephen Thompson Jr. looks to drive against UCLA

Photo by: Dave Nishitani/Oregon State Athletics

December 30, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Postgame Presser

By: Oregon State Communications

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Sophomore guard Stephen Thompson Jr. established a new career high for the second game in a row in Oregon State's 76-63 loss to No. 2-ranked UCLA on Friday night at Gill Coliseum.

Thompson Jr. had 25 points and four assists to lead the Beavers (4-11, 0-2 Pac-12), who battled the Bruins (14-1, 1-1) on even terms for the first 30 minutes. He had 24 points against USC on Wednesday night to eclipse his previous best to that point.

Sophomore center Drew Eubanks had 18 points, nine rebounds and a career-high three steals. He just missed his second double-double of the opening set of Pac-12 Conference action, as he had 15 points and 15 rebounds vs. the Trojans.

Freshman guard JaQuori McLaughlin added 12 points and was the third Beaver in double figures.

There were lead changes and three ties in an evenly-played first half before UCLA pulled away late to take a 34-26 advantage downstairs at the break.

OSU came out strong in the second half and used a 12-4 run in the first 3:35 to forge a 38-38 tie with 16:25 remaining on a 3-pointer by freshman guard Kendal Manuel.

UCLA quickly retook the lead but the Beavers were within 47-45 and had the ball with 10:29 remaining after a basket by Thompson Jr. and a missed shot by the Bruins. However, UCLA zoomed to a 53-45 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Aaron Holiday.

The Beavers could not recover. UCLA took its first double-figure lead at 57-47 with 7:52 left, and OSU could not get closer than 11 points in the final 6:39.

OSU battled the taller Bruins to a near-standoff on the boards, 36-33, and in points in the paint, 26-24. Freshman Ben Koné grabbed five rebounds and junior Matt Dahlen blocked two shots.

The Beavers resume Pac-12 action on Wednesday, when they face Washington State in an 8 p.m. game in coach Wayne Tinkle's hometown, Spokane. It will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.

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