LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a heart-stopping finish that saw the lead change hands three times in the final 30 seconds, Oregon State edged San Francisco 78-77 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at Orleans Arena.

A crowd of 3,021 saw the Beavers overcome a sluggish first half and a late deficit to secure the one-point victory, improving their season record to 17-15. The Dons, who led for over 36 minutes of game time, fell to 17-16.

The game’s defining sequence unfolded in the closing moments. With San Francisco leading 75-73 after a deep 3-pointer by Legend Smiley, Oregon State’s Josiah Lake was fouled on the ensuing possession with 28 seconds remaining. The sophomore guard from Tualatin, Oregon, calmly sank both free throws to tie the game.

On the next trip, San Francisco’ Ryan Beasley was fouled and made two free throws with seven seconds left, putting the Dons back ahead 77-75. Oregon State immediately inbounded to Lake, who drove the length of the court and was fouled by Guillermo Diaz Graham with six-tenths of a second on the clock. Lake missed the first free throw but sank the second to give the Beavers a 78-77 lead. San Francisco’s desperation full-court heave was unsuccessful as time expired.

The frantic finish capped a remarkable second-half comeback by Oregon State, which trailed 32-30 at halftime. The Beavers’ offense found its rhythm after the break, shooting efficiently and outscoring the Dons 48-45 in the period. San Francisco had controlled the first half behind the scoring of Tyrone Riley and Smiley, building a lead that stretched to nine points at one stage.

Riley, a junior from Watts, California, led all scorers with 23 points for San Francisco, adding four assists. Beasley, from San Ramon, California, provided 19 points and seven assists, while Smiley of Seattle contributed 18 points. David Fuchs of Vienna, Austria, recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Oregon State’s victory was a balanced effort. Lake and Dez White of Jefferson City, Missouri, each scored 18 points. Lake also dished out seven assists. White’s scoring, particularly from beyond the arc, was instrumental in the second-half surge. Isaiah Sy of Marseille, France, added 12 points for the Beavers.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ two previous meetings this season, both decisive Oregon State wins by margins of eight and 27 points. According to Interstat’s ELO system, San Francisco entered as a 63.2 percent favorite and was installed as a 3.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined score of 155 points surpassed the over/under line of 142.5.

Defensively, Oregon State’s interior presence was notable, with 7-foot-2 center Noah Amenhauser of Goodyear, Arizona, blocking three shots. The Beavers also forced 15 San Francisco turnovers, converting them into 19 points.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly the final 30 seconds, a masterclass in late-game pressure execution and faltering. San Francisco, which had executed well to build and maintain a lead, saw it vanish at the foul line. Conversely, Oregon State, which struggled from the field at times, won the game at the charity stripe. Josiah Lake’s composure to hit the game-winning free throw after missing the first was the decisive act in a contest defined by razor-thin margins. The sequence underscored the volatility of a single-possession game, where one made or missed free throw, one foul call, or one defensive stop translates directly to victory or defeat.