Five-second violation ends Oregon State women’s season opener as they fall to California Baptist, 79 to 77

Beavers build an early lead

Jenna Villa answered Lauren Olsen’s opening jumper to tie the score. Kennedie Shuler then scored five straight points for Oregon State, though Spela Brecelj’s three-pointer brought the Lancers closer. Layups from Lara Alonso and Taylor Young helped the Beavers stay ahead during a stretch of inconsistent shooting.

California Baptist moved in front late in the first quarter on consecutive three-pointers by Olsen and McKinley Willardson. Katelyn Field responded from beyond the arc, and Oregon State finished the period with a 21-18 advantage.

Lancers take control

Scoring slowed at the start of the second quarter, with Shuler providing the only points for either team in the opening minutes. Young added two points, but California Baptist converted three offensive rebounds into a Brecelj three-pointer. Willardson tied the game from long range, and Olsen’s fast-break layup put the Lancers ahead.

Oregon State went scoreless over the final four minutes of the half. California Baptist carried a 31-27 lead into halftime, then extended its advantage after the break. Brecelj’s next three-pointer pushed the margin to 12 before the Beavers began to rally.

Oregon State rallies back

Taylor Young led the comeback with 14 points in the third quarter, while Evelini Smith also helped end Oregon State’s scoring drought. Jenna Villa added 11 points in the period, including free throws, as the Beavers narrowed the gap to 63-59 entering the fourth.

Shuler’s jumper brought Oregon State within two, and a defensive battle followed. Villa’s driving layup with five and a half minutes left put the Beavers back in front. Ashley Uusitalo added a three-pointer, but Sofia Alonso later tied the score for California Baptist with 2:13 remaining.

Late plays decide the game

Shuler’s free throw gave Oregon State a one-point edge, but Willardson’s layup returned the lead to the Lancers with 1:41 left. After Chloe Briggs made one free throw, Shuler found Lara Alonso for a tying layup, and a free throw put the Beavers ahead by one with 14 seconds to play.

Olsen missed a jumper after a timeout, recovered the rebound and scored a go-ahead layup. Oregon State had one second left, but a five-second violation on the inbound ended its chance to tie or win. A final foul led to one more California Baptist point, making the score 79-77.

Young led Oregon State with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. Villa finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists; Shuler had 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Lara Alonso recorded seven points and 11 rebounds. Oregon State is scheduled to host Eastern Washington at Gill Coliseum on Sunday, November 8, with tipoff at 2 p.m. PT.