CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — Oregon State used a strong second half to defeat Montana State 67-57 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers, who led 29-27 at halftime, outscored the Bobcats 38-30 after intermission to secure the victory. Josiah Lake led Oregon State with 16 points and six assists. Patrick McMahon paced Montana State with a game-high 17 points. The win improves Oregon State’s record to 6-5. Montana State falls to 4-7. An announced crowd of 2,292 attended the game.

CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — Oregon State used a decisive advantage at the free-throw line and a pivotal second-half surge to pull away from Montana State for a 67-57 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Gill Coliseum. In a contest defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the Beavers (6-5) shot 23 of 28 from the foul line, while the Bobcats (4-7) managed just 9 of 15. That 14-point disparity proved the difference in a game where both teams shot under 43% from the field and committed double-digit turnovers. The most critical phase of the game came early in the second half. Leading by just two points, 29-27, at halftime, Oregon State opened the final period with a 13-5 run to establish its first double-digit lead. The burst was fueled by Josiah Lake, who scored on a layup and dished an assist for a Dez White 3-pointer, and Isaiah Sy, who converted a three-point play. That stretch gave the Beavers a 42-32 cushion with 16:19 to play, and Montana State would never get closer than six points the rest of the way. The Bobcats, who have now lost four of their last five, were plagued by cold shooting throughout. They finished 21 of 57 from the field and just 6 of 25 from 3-point range. Oregon State was not much more efficient, going 19 of 45 overall and 6 of 20 from deep, but its ability to draw fouls and convert at the stripe provided a steadying offensive foundation. Lake, a guard from Tualatin, Oregon, led all scorers with 16 points and added six assists in 36 minutes for Oregon State. His backcourt mate, White, contributed 12 points. The Beavers’ interior defense was anchored by Yaak Yaak, the 6-foot-11 center from Adelaide, Australia, who recorded 10 points and five blocked shots. Forward Isaiah Sy of Marseille, France, also scored 12 points. Montana State was led by forward Patrick McMahon of Palmer, Alaska, who scored 17 points. Jeremiah Davis added nine points for the Bobcats, who held a significant 11-4 edge in offensive rebounds but could not capitalize enough on their second chances. The game was a grind from the start, with both teams applying tight defense. The first half featured eight ties and six lead changes, with neither team leading by more than five points. Montana State’s last lead came at 27-26 late in the opening period before a Jorge Diaz Graham free throw and a Yaak Yaak layup in the final 25 seconds gave Oregon State its slim halftime advantage. The Beavers then seized control for good with their initial second-half push. Montana State attempted to rally, closing to within 53-47 after a Jaden Steppe dunk with 7:37 remaining, but Oregon State responded with a 7-0 run, capped by a Yaak Yaak floater, to push the lead back to 13 and effectively seal the outcome. Oregon State, which entered as a 3-point favorite, improved to 5-1 at home this season. The Beavers will host Sam Houston on Wednesday. Montana State, which fell to 1-6 on the road, continues its trip at Cal Poly on Tuesday.

Preview: Montana State Bobcats at Oregon State Beavers CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum before conference play begins will meet Saturday when the Montana State Bobcats visit the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum. The nonconference matchup features teams with identical 1-1 records in December. Oregon State (5-5) has won its last two, including an 81-70 victory over Southern Utah on Dec. 6. Montana State (4-6) looks to rebound from a 72-68 road loss at Oral Roberts the same day. A key matchup will be between standout guards. Montana State’s Davian Brown enters on a hot streak, averaging 17.2 points over his last five games. He scored 21 points in 33 minutes against Oral Roberts. For Oregon State, Dez White has led the Beavers in scoring in three of the last four contests, posting 20 points and three assists in the win over Southern Utah. The Bobcats have faced a challenging road schedule, with six of their first ten games away from home. Their four wins include a 78-72 victory at Long Beach State and a 92-55 rout of Nobel University. Close losses, including an 84-81 overtime defeat at Utah State, show their competitive edge. Oregon State’s season has been marked by narrow results, with five of its ten games decided by eight points or fewer. The Beavers are 4-1 at home, with the lone loss a 75-69 setback to California Baptist on Nov. 29. Their defense has been stout in Corvallis, holding three opponents under 70 points. Montana State will need to contain Oregon State’s interior presence; Beavers forward Johan Munch had 16 points and four blocks last time out. The Bobcats counter with a balanced attack—Jed Miller (16 points) and Chris Hodges (10 points) were also productive in the Oral Roberts game. After this contest, Montana State travels to face Cal Poly on Dec. 16. Oregon State hosts Sam Houston on Dec. 17 before a road test at Arizona State. Saturday’s tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST at Gill Coliseum.