Junior Tony Champion tied his career high with 16 points against Oregon State. |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- Philip Ricci led a trio of Oregon State players in double-figures with 18 points and 12 rebounds to help the Beavers to a 62-49 victory over Sacramento State in front of 1,667 fans at Hornet Gym Saturday night.The win improved OSU to 4-1 this season and gave the team its fourth-straight victory. The Hornets had their record fall to 4-4.
Ricci recorded 15 of his 18 points in the second half to spark Oregon State. After the two teams were tied, 20-20, at halftime, the Beavers outscored Sacramento State, 42-29, in the final 20 minutes. Ricci, who prepped at nearby Galt HS and played two seasons at Delta JC, ended the night 5-of-11 from the field. The senior, however, was 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
Brian Jackson added 12 points and J.S. Nash came off the bench to contribute 10.
Both teams struggled in the first half. The Beavers led, 8-4, at the 14:05 mark before Sacramento State went on a 12-0 run to take a 16-8 edge with 8:29 remaining in the period. From that point, the Hornets managed just four points while OSU ended the half with five points in the final two minutes.
Sacramento State claimed a four-point lead in the first three minutes of the second period before Oregon State made its move. Nash tied the contest with a layup at the 16:18 mark and Lamar Hurd gave the team a two-point lead with two free throws. OSU moved ahead, 34-28 on a layup by Floyd North before Jimmy White responded with a dunk. Ricci then began a 14-0 run with two free throws to put the game out reach.
During the stretch, which lasted 3:41, Sacramento State was 0-of-5 from the field while the Beavers 4-for-8 and a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.
Junior Tony Champion led the Hornets with 16 points. The center tied his career high, which was set earlier this season at Missouri, by making six of his nine field goals and all of his four free throw attempts. Lambeth added 13 points and tied for the team lead with eight rebounds.
As a team, Sacramento State was just 19-of-59 from the floor (32.2 percent). The Beavers ended the game 21-of-49 (42.9). Oregon State also did significant damage at the free throw line where it was 18-of-23 (78.3). Conversely, the Hornets were just 8-of-14 (57.1). OSU was also able to outrebound Sacramento State, 42-33.
The Hornets will not return to the court until Saturday, Dec. 21., against Cal State Fullerton. The game against the Titans is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in Hornet Gym. The contest is the second half of a doubleheader with the women’s team.
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