Bears Take a Bite Out of The Beavers, 77-74

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Marcel Jones had his second-best scoring game of the season with 29 points vs. Cal. Photo: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS - Marcel Jones 29 points wasn't enough for the Beavers as they dropped a heartbreaker 77-74 over the California Golden Bears Thursday night at Gill Coliseum.

Ryan Anderson and Ayinde Ubaka each had 22 points to lead the Bears (12-6 overall, 4-2 Pac-10).

Anderson, who also had eight rebounds.

OSU had won two of the last three meetings, but prior to that Cal had won 14 straight games against the Beavers.

Sasa Cuic had 15 points for Oregon State (10-9 overall, 1-5 Pac-10).

Up next for the Beavers is Stanford who lost Thursday night in Eugene to the Ducks, 66-59.

The Beavers lead the all-time series with the Cardinal, 66-54

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

OSU shot 52.9% from the field, the fifth time this season the Beavers have shot better than 50%.

However, OSU is 2-3 in those five games.

California shot 52.1%, and the Beavers fell to 0-4 when the opponent shoots better than 50%.

OSU fell to 1-4 in games decided by five points or less.

Wesley Washington (33) and Jack McGillis (30) each set new career highs for minutes played.

QUOTES FROM OSU COACH JAY JOHN

“There is a sense in my stomach throughout the course of the game that withstanding the helter skelter last couple minutes, we were missing a lot of opportunities at the free throw line along the way. There were a number of opportunities for us to get the basket and one. In the first half we couldn’t get the ball to fall and then we walk up and don’t complete the free throw opportunity.”

“Along the way it was free throws. Free throws are the thing that plug in the gaps. We hit free throws at ASU, we plugged in the gaps. We did not plug in the gaps. We missed opportunities.”

QUOTES FROM OSU FORWARD MARCEL JONES

“It was a tough game. I promise you we are going to get over the hump. We are going to learn how to win close games.”

(on the last possession) “We got a good look. He hit it. It was just after the buzzer. I guess you could say there wasn’t enough time, but there were plays throughout the game where here and there it could have went our way, it could have went their way. So you can’t just blame it on the last shot. Obviously it’s a tough way to lose.”

“I feel like our guys played hard tonight, young guys included. Shots didn’t go in for us, so we just have to get back in the gym.”

QUOTES FROM OSU GUARD JOSH TARVER

(on the team’s missing free throws) “We just have to get in the gym. I missed four today and I take the blame on free throws missed, because that could have been a difference down the stretch.”

“I see that we are getting better. We’re not giving up, we’re staying close, we’re fighting the whole game. I felt our team played really tough, it’s just the little things that Cal did good and that we didn’t.”

QUOTES FROM CAL COACH BEN BRAUN

“I thought he (Ayinde Ubaka) let the game come to him in the second half. It’s frustrating. He wants to make big plays for this team and that’s what big time players do. Let’s be realistic. We had to explain to Ayinde that he’s going to have to let other guys step up because he’s not going to have every opportunity.”

“I thought our team made much better defensive decisions and stops in the second half, whether it was man or zone. They hit some shots and we did a good job of recognizing shooter scorers. They got inside a couple of times, which is not characteristic of our defense, but we did a better job rebounding as a team. For us to come out of here with a nine rebound advantage, that’s huge for us. We hit free throws down the stretch, 85% for the game, and that’s a big stat for us.”

QUOTES FROM CAL FORWARD ERIC VIERNEISEL

“I was getting open looks and guys were finding me. When I am open, I have the green light to shoot, so I have to be confident.”

“I am hitting shots like that in practice everyday, so I have to transfer it out on the court. If guys keep looking for me, I am going to keep shooting it.”

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