CHARLOTTE AMALIE WEST, U.S. Virgin Islands (Interstat) — In a gritty, back-and-forth affair defined by defense and free throws, the Evansville Purple Aces edged the Oregon State Beavers 73-69 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at the U.V.I. Sports and Fitness Center.

Despite being a heavy underdog according to pregame projections, Evansville never trailed in the second half but was forced to withstand a furious late rally from Oregon State to secure the victory before an announced crowd of 1,012. The win evened the Purple Aces’ season record at 3-3, while the Beavers fell to 3-2.

The game was a tale of offensive inefficiency, with both teams struggling to find a consistent shooting rhythm. Evansville’s victory was ultimately forged at the free-throw line, where they attempted 12 more free throws than Oregon State and capitalized, making 28 of 35. Oregon State, by contrast, shot 19 of 23 from the stripe but could not overcome a poor night from the field, connecting on just 6 of 25 attempts from three-point range.

Evansville built its lead in the first half, taking a 30-28 advantage into the break. The Purple Aces extended their lead in the second half, but the Beavers, led by the dynamic guard play of Josiah Lake, refused to go away quietly. Lake, a sophomore from Tualatin, Oregon, spearheaded the Oregon State offense with 16 points and three assists in 38 minutes of action.

His backcourt mate, Isaiah Sy of Marseille, France, contributed 9 points and a team-high 5 assists, orchestrating the Beaver attack. The interior presence was provided by 7-foot-2 center Noah Amenhauser of Goodyear, Arizona, who muscled his way to 17 points, many coming on second-chance opportunities.

However, Evansville’s balanced scoring attack and key contributions off the bench proved decisive. Bryce Quinet, a guard from Scottsdale, Arizona, provided a critical spark for the Purple Aces, scoring 15 points and dishing out three assists in just 22 minutes. His ability to penetrate and draw fouls was a key component of Evansville’s offensive strategy.

Evansville’s starting frontcourt also delivered strong performances. Joshua Hughes, a 6-foot-10 forward from Brisbane, Australia, matched Quinet’s team-high with 16 points, while German forward Leif Moeller added 14 points. Defensively, Connor Turnbull of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was a force in the paint, registering two blocks and altering numerous other shots during his 18 minutes.

The game’s final minutes were a tense affair of fouls and free throws. After Oregon State closed the gap to a single possession, Evansville’s composure at the line was tested. The Purple Aces consistently converted their opportunities, preventing the Beavers from ever tying or taking the lead in the closing moments. A last-second three-pointer by Oregon State’s Malcolm Christie accounted for the final margin, but Evansville successfully inbounded the ball to seal the four-point upset.

The game was part of a multi-team event in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Evansville will look to build on the momentum Sunday when they face Akron at the same venue. Oregon State, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back quickly in a Saturday contest against Iona.