Women's Basketball | 12/28/2008 5:33:34 PM
Box Score CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Western Oregon University women's basketball team ended its non-conference schedule with a 5-6 record as it fell at Oregon State 66-32, Sunday, Dec. 28.
This was the sixth straight for the Beavers as they improved to 9-1 early in the season.
The Wolves did not have a double-digit scorer for the first time this year as Katie Torland lead the team with nine points. Sammy Nordstrom and Whitney Chase each had a team-best five rebounds while Erika Wilson led the team with two assists.
WOU was hurt by a 49-to-31 disadvantage on the boards including a minus-14 rebounding deficit on the offensive glass. For game, the Beavers were held to a 31.3 shooting percentage (22-63) but the Wolves converted on only 26.9 percent of their shots from the field (13-45). WOU was also able to hold OSU 10 points below its season scoring average of 76.1 points per game. Western Oregon only got to the free throw line 10 times in the game and made just five of its attempts while Oregon State made 16 of its 22 attempts from the line.
"Our primary defense in the half court was really good until they shot the ball," said head coach Greg Bruce. "They couldn't really get a look against us in the half court until they would shoot the ball and get an offensive rebound."
The Wolves fell behind 38-13 at the half as OSU was able to convert 16 WOU turnovers into 27 points. The Beavers also were able to put up 12 extra shots in the period and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. Western Oregon was able to hold Oregon State to a 38.7 shooting percentage in the first half but were only able to make 31.6 percent of its shots (6-19).
"We had our chances early offensively but we were not able to get those to drop," explained Bruce. "You have to make the easy ones early if you are going to have a chance in a big game like this."
"Danielle Albus did a great job on the defensive side of the ball today," noted Bruce. "She was able to stay with their quick guards throughout the game."
OSU was the second NCAA Division I opponent WOU played during its early season schedule and the fifth D. I opponent overall this year (three in exhibitions). The Wolves played eight of its 11 non-conference games on the road or at neutral courts where they accumulated a 3-5 record.
The Western Oregon women's basketball team will now prepare for the start of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play as it opens the 2009 GNAC season against Alaska Fairbanks (Jan. 8) and Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 10).
