Oregon State seeks better road results at Colorado

Field Level Media|published: Fri 19th January, 18:57 2024

Jan 18, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Dexter Akanno (4) looks to pass the ball on Utah Utes guard Hunter Erickson (0) during the first half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. credits: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado and Oregon State are polar opposites in their home/road splits ahead of their clash Saturday in Boulder, Colo.

The Buffaloes (13-5, 4-3 Pac-12) are 11-0 at home while the Beavers (9-8, 1-5) are 0-6 away from Corvallis, Ore.

The road hasn't treated Oregon State nicely, in more ways than one. Because of delays out of the Eugene (Ore.) Airport on Wednesday, the Beavers did not arrive in Salt Lake City for their Thursday game against Utah until after midnight.

The jetlagged Beavers shot 29.1 percent from the field and produced a season low in points in a 74-47 loss. Utah outrebounded Oregon State 52-31.

"Obviously, we're not just trying to be competitive this year," Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said. "We have to find a way to play 40 minutes, 45 minutes of Beaver basketball. That's moving the ball, sharing the ball, that's intense defense, that's help the helper defense."

Dexter Akanno led the Beavers with 12 points but no other player scored in double figures.

Jordan Pope, who was 3-of-10 shooting from the field, finished with seven points. He entered the game scoring at least 20 points in his four previous games.

Now Oregon State will attempt to end a four-game losing streak in the second half of their Mountain Time Zone trip.

Colorado's Cody Williams scored a career-high 23 points and KJ Simpson add 22 on Thursday when the Buffaloes pulled away from Oregon to win 86-70. The Buffaloes outscored the Ducks 30-13 over the final 11 minutes.

The victory ended Oregon's six-game winning streak and gave the Ducks their first loss in the Pac-12.

Colorado's defense forced 13 turnovers to produce 24 points. The Buffaloes held a 37-25 rebounding edge on the boards and outscored the Ducks 40-28 in the paint.

"It's definitely fun when you get a ‘W' and protect home court," Williams said. "I just trusted my teammates, moved the ball and got into the flow."

Simpson leads Colorado with 19.4 points, 4.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. For Oregon State, Pope averages 17.4 points and 3.6 assists.

—Field Level Media

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