Oregon State backs up the preseason buzz with a signature 80-74 win over Iowa State – OregonLive

CORVALLIS — There was a bit of a buzz around Oregon State men’s basketball heading into the 2019-20 season. Talk, because of veteran star players and better-than-usual depth, that this could be the Beavers’ year to make a run at places the program hasn’t been in a while.

Saturday was one of Oregon State’s Show-Us-Something days if the talk is to carry weight.

Oregon State showed it can have firepower and grit, as well as the Pac-12 player of the year frontrunner, in an 80-74 win over Iowa State in front of 6,173 at Gill Coliseum.

The Cyclones, an NCAA Tournament team seven of the past eight years, are one of the leading barometers on OSU’s nonconference schedule. At this baby stage of the 2019-20 season, the Beavers (2-0) began to make a case that they’re worthy of inclusion in postseason play and Pac-12 title run discussions.

Tres Tinkle was dynamite, with 27 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Tinkle hit back-to-back three-pointers during the final 1:40 to rally the Beavers to victory. Kylor Kelley is emerging as a serious presence at both ends of the floor, as he had 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

Oregon State was exceptional from three-point range, hitting 12 of 21 shots. Tinkle hit 6 of 8 from beyond the arc, and Zach Reichle made three.

But the most impressive aspect of the win was the Beavers’ grit. Oregon State built sizable leads during first and second half, yet had them disintegrate when Iowa State (1-1) hit the Beavers with 15-4 runs during both halves.

During the first half, Oregon State led 13-6 early, but it was short-lived when the Cyclones scored 15 of the next 19 points for a 21-17 lead. The Beavers regrouped, and soon peeled off 15 consecutive points to take control of the game.

OSU had a 61-51 second-half lead when Iowa State came calling again with a 15-4 run, taking a one-point advantage on a dunk by George Conditt with 6:46 remaining.

Oregon State didn’t flinch. Ethan Thompson hit a three-pointer, Kelley dunked twice and the Beavers were back on top and eventually rolling to their first win over a Big 12 opponent since 2012.

“We took a couple of their best punches and closed the door on them,” OSU coach Wayne Tinkle said. “Moving forward, this will be big for us.”

Tres Tinkle’s performance isn’t a big surprise, coming off a junior season when he averaged 20 points and eight rebounds. What Tinkle has left to add to his résumé are wins in big moments. Tinkle contributed as much as anyone Saturday, as he scored seven points during OSU’s 15-0 first half run, then finished the game with gutty back-to-back three-pointers during a span of 45 seconds to serve as a Cyclones’ knockout punch.

“Coach says stay ready, stay confident,” Tinkle said.

Reichle is showing increased confidence following a ragged sophomore season. A big contributor in OSU’s season-opening win over Cal State Northridge, Reichle got the Beavers going in the second half by scoring eight of the team’s first 11 points.

The 7-foot Kelley is someone who could take Oregon State places. Last year, his first with the program, the senior established himself as a defensive force as one of the country’s top shot-blockers, but erratic at the offensive end. Kelley is now a go-to guy on offense, as he demands the ball and finishes with a variety of moves.

Tinkle said a year ago, “he wasn’t sure what he was capable of. Now he’s starting to understand that and be good with it. … He’s at the point now where he’s accepting what’s in front of him because of his work and his potential.”

Saturday’s performance, as Tinkle said, “wasn’t a thing of beauty. But once we got settled into the game, our guys really set the tone.” Iowa State had a few too many periods where it was able to get going in transition, an area of defense the Beavers must improve if they’re to hang with and overcome the better teams on the schedule.

Not lost on Tinkle was the Gill Coliseum atmosphere, which had a better-than-usual crowd for a first-week nonconference game.

“When this place is nuts, our team plays at a different level,” Tinkle said.

The Show-Us-Something tour continues next Tuesday for Oregon State as the Beavers play Oklahoma at 8 p.m. at Moda Center. If the Beavers beat the Sooners, they’ll have two wins over proven NCAA Tournament programs eight days into the season.

At that point, the talk can cease. The play and statistics will speak.

— Nick Daschel | [email protected] | @nickdaschel

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