Preview: Santa Clara Broncos at Oregon State Beavers CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — Two teams on the NCAA tournament bubble look to bolster their resumes Thursday when the Santa Clara Broncos visit the Oregon State Beavers in a nonconference women’s basketball clash at Gill Coliseum. The Broncos (18-7) enter having dropped two of their last three, including a 90-82 road loss to Pacific on Feb. 5. Santa Clara’s offense, however, remains potent, averaging over 80 points per game during its recent stretch. They are led by dynamic guard Ashley Hawkins, who is averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 assists over her last six games. In the loss to Pacific, Hawkins posted 18 points and six assists, while teammates Maia Jones (24 points) and Ava Schmidt (19 points) provided significant scoring support. Oregon State (17-8) seeks to rebound from a frustrating 53-50 defeat at Portland on Feb. 7, a game in which the Beavers shot just 32.8% from the field. The team’s fortunes often hinge on the performance of guard Kennedie Shuler. She scored 23 points in the Portland loss but was held to a season-low two points in a 67-37 rout at Gonzaga two days prior, highlighting her importance to the Beavers’ attack. When effective, Shuler is a multifaceted threat, as evidenced by a 19-point, 7-assist performance in a win over San Francisco on Jan. 31. This matchup features contrasting styles. Santa Clara employs a high-tempo, high-scoring approach, having topped 90 points in three of its last seven games. Oregon State typically relies on a more deliberate pace and stout defense, though it has shown offensive firepower, such as in a 92-87 overtime win over Gonzaga on Jan. 22. The game represents a critical opportunity for both squads to secure a quality win outside their respective conferences ahead of March. The Broncos aim to prove their high-powered offense can travel and defeat a physical Pac-12 opponent. The Beavers, meanwhile, look to defend their home court and stabilize their performance after an inconsistent fortnight. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST on Thursday, Feb. 12.