Oregon State's offense powers victory over Utah

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th March, 03:04 2024

February 22, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Wayne Tinkle during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Pope scored 25 points and Oregon State established a season high for points with a 92-85 victory over Utah on Thursday night in Corvallis, Ore.

Tyler Bilodeau added 20 points and Dexter Akanno added 18 for the Beavers (13-17, 5-14 Pac-12), who won for just the second time in their past 10 games.

Branden Carlson scored a career-best 40 points for Utah (18-12, 9-10), which lost for the 15th time in its last 19 visits to Corvallis.

Deivon Smith added 19 points and 10 assists and Gabe Madsen had 13 points and seven assists for the Utes, who had won three of their previous four games. The setback represents a blow to Utah's NCAA Tournament at-large hopes.

Utah shot 51.5 percent from the field, including 9 of 25 (36 percent) from 3-point range. Carlson matched his career high of five 3-pointers.

Oregon State made 51 percent of its shots and was 9 of 22 (40.9 percent) from behind the arc.

The Beavers led by 16 with six minutes remaining before the Utes made a late charge.

Two free throws by Smith brought the Utes within 79-69 with 2:19 remaining. Just 40 seconds later, Carlson drained a 3-pointer as Utah crept within 81-74.

Carlson buried another trey to reach 40 points and bring the Utes within 87-80 with 30.1 seconds left. Utah moved within 91-85 on Madsen's 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds remaining before time ran out on the rally.

Utah trailed by 13 at halftime and was down by 14 five minutes into the second half before Carlson got hot.

Carlson, who wound up with 25 points after the break, hit a turnaround jumper and sank consecutive treys during a personal 8-0 burst to pull the Utes within 56-50 with 13:36 left.

Pope answered with four straight points as Oregon State's lead went back to 10 with 12:03 remaining.

Nearly four minutes later, Bilodeau connected on a straightaway 3-pointer to give the Beavers a 68-55 advantage.

Bilodeau canned another trey to make it 73-57 with 6:15 left.

Oregon State shot 61.5 percent from the field in the first half while taking a 46-33 lead. Bilodeau and Pope scored 10 points apiece for the Beavers prior to intermission.

Utah led 13-7 before Oregon State ripped off 15 straight points, and the hosts never trailed again.

—Field Level Media

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