Alibegovic, Payton Lead Oregon State to 106-59 Victory

Teo Alibegovic scored 26 points to lead Oregon State past the University of Portland, 106-59, Saturday night in the season opener for both schools.

Gary Payton scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, had 11 assists and 3 steals for the Beavers, who were opening their 19th season under Ralph Miller. Miller, the winningest active coach in college basketball, is stepping down after this year.

Oregon State jumped to a 33-6 lead with 12 minutes to play in the first half as Alibegovic, a 6 foot 8 freshman from Yugoslavia, scored 13 points. Alibegovic hit 8 of 11 shots from the field, and was 3 for 3 from 3-point range.

Oregon State led, 50-26, at halftime and was never threatened.

Payton hit 4 of 6 3-pointers as the Beavers went 10 for 14 from 3-point range.

Oregon State last scored more than 100 points in a 108-93 victory over Arizona State in 1983 at Corvallis. The victory was the most decisive for a Miller team since the Beavers beat Hawaii Loa, 97-49, in 1984.