Oregon State has worst shooting game in more than 9 years at Saint Mary’s

A competitive opening 14 minutes by Oregon State ballooned to a decided Saint Mary’s halftime lead, then snowballed into the third 30-point loss of the season and the worst shooting game in more than nine years for the Beavers.

Josiah Lake II scored 17 points, but was the only player in double-figures for Oregon State in an 81-51 loss to Saint Mary’s Wednesday night in front of 3,390 at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California.

Lake, who was 7 of 11 from the field and 3 of 4 at the free throw line, was the only player to make more than two field goals in a season-low scoring outing for Oregon State (10-12, 3-6 WCC). The Beavers shot 28.6% from the floor — their lowest since shooting 28% from the field on Dec. 18, 2016 against Portland — including a season-low 12.5% from three.

“Offensively really poor shooting night by us and then even defensively we had a hard time keeping the ball in front,” Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said on postgame radio. “We’re fighting for our lives and we’re trying to cut corners.”

Joshua Dent had 16 points and 11 assists and Paulius Murauskas added 15 points and six rebounds for Saint Mary’s (18-3, 7-1), which dominated the glass (44-28) and shot 34.8% from three.

The Gaels turned a 19-17 lead with 5:55 to go in the first half into a 36-25 lead at the break by making 7 of its last 9 shots going into halftime.

That extended with more makes to open the second half as Saint Mary’s broke open a 21-point lead en route to its 21st straight home win.

“We didn’t defend to start the second half, but we had some great looks,” Tinkle said. “Got to knock them down.”

Oregon State did not score consecutive baskets during the second half, during which it shot just 25% from the field, including 12.5% from three.

OSU guard Dez White (10.3 points) did not play due to a thigh bruise.

“There will be some good in this,” Tinkle said. “A lot of it’s going to come down to we didn’t guard our man defensively in the second half and we missed a lot of opportunities offensively to put the ball in the bucket.”