Oregon State Flexes Its Muscles Against Irvine

UC Irvine lost to Oregon State, 80-70, Saturday at Corvallis, Ore., but the effort did fall within the parameters of Irvine Coach Pat Douglass’ “we’re-young-we’ll-get-better” mantra.

“It could have gotten real ugly,” Douglass said. “I was pleased we came back and were right there to make it a game.”

Oregon State led by as many as 19 points in the first half and seemed to be beating the Anteaters into submission. In the end, they were almost an equal, cutting a 15-point halftime deficit to 74-70 with two minutes left.

Irvine (1-2) missed its last six shots and Oregon State was saved from the ultimate Pacific 10 Conference embarrassment--losing to a Big West school.

Oregon State’s front line was bigger and stronger and let Irvine know it. Seven times, Anteaters were knocked to the floor in the first half.

Iyan Walker, who is 6 feet 7 inches, 215 pounds, scored 13 points. Seven-foot George von Backstrom added 12. They did most of their work early, when the Beavers (2-0) built a 42-27 halftime lead.

Ben Jones and Gabe Cagwin shot Irvine back into it. Jones, who finished with a career-high 21 points, made five of 16 three pointers and Cagwin, who scored 20 points, made five of nine three pointers.

Deaundra Tanner scored 21 points to lead Oregon State.