CORVALLIS, Ore – https://linktr.ee/womensbasketballall...

Written by Cate Schmeling | OSUbeavers.com

Oregon State remained undefeated at home as they took down their second Top 20 team of the weekend in a 91-66 win over no. 16 Utah in front of 5,029 at Gill Coliseum.

The Beavers dominated. After a back-and-forth start to the first quarter, Oregon State took the lead with 6:05 left in the period and never relinquished it, stretching the advantage as high as 38.

Oregon State kept Utah, which lead the Pac-12 and ranked seventh nationally with a 49.9 percent field goal percentage, to 39.7 percent shooting. Oregon State finished the game shooting 69.4 percent, the last time Oregon State shot 60 percent or better in a conference game was in 2021 against Washington.

"This team competed like crazy this weekend for 80 minutes against two excellent teams," said head coach Scott Rueck "This team just wants to be great, and it's so fun to be a part of. It's so fun to work with a group that wants to be elite and now knows they can be. You saw it today. This team played great 1 through 12."

Kelsey Rees made a significant impact on both ends of the floor. The transfer from Utah displayed her offensive prowess with eight points in the first quarter, including two triples. Rees concluded the game with 15 points, six rebounds, four blocks, an assist and a steal.

Oregon State pulled away on a 10-0 run after freshman Lily Hansford sank one from downtown, quickly followed by back-to-back scores by Timea Gardiner.

Donovyn Hunter handed out eight assists in the first half to help the Beavers build the lead. Hunter set three new career-bests for herself, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and two blocks to go with two rebounds and two steals. Claiming her first double-double, Hunter is the first OSU freshman to record a points-assists double-double since Boky Vidic in 1993-94.

Talia von Oelhoffen continued to set the Beavers up on offense, dishing eight assists of her own to help push Oregon State forward. Von Oelhoffen posted nine points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

The Beavers continued their commanding performance into the second half, orchestrating a 22-6 run over the Utes led by Oregon State's star-studded sophomores. Gardiner had seven points in the run en route to her third career double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal.

Raegan Beers contributed nine of her 20 points during the third quarter, marking her 10th 20-point game of the season and 16th in her career. Beers finished the game with 20 points, three blocks, two rebounds and a steal.

Lily Hansford sank two consecutive triples in the big run and finished 4-for-4 from behind the arc, tying her career-high. Hansford finished with 12 points, two rebounds and an assist.

Although the Utes mounted pressure in the fourth quarter - limiting the Beavers to five made shots - it proved insufficient. Despite a 9-0 run by Utah to conclude the game, the Beavers secured back-to-back Top 20 wins for the first time since 2021 when they beat No. 8 UCLA and No.14 Oregon.

The Beavers travel to Eugene on February 4th, battling Oregon at 4 p.m. on Pac-12 Oregon.

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