MORAGA, Calif. (Interstat) — A frigid offensive start and a late-game surge defined a gritty road victory for the Oregon State women’s basketball team Tuesday night. The Beavers overcame a significant early deficit and a dismal third quarter by clamping down defensively and executing at the free-throw line in the final period to edge Saint Mary’s 63-57 at McKeon Pavilion.

The most pivotal sequence of the nonconference contest came not with a single shot, but with a decisive defensive stand and a parade to the charity stripe in the game’s final minutes. Leading by just two points with under two minutes to play, Oregon State’s defense forced a critical turnover. Shortly after, with the Beavers clinging to a three-point lead and 48 seconds remaining, Saint Mary’s was forced to foul repeatedly in a desperate attempt to regain possession. Oregon State’s composure was then tested as players stepped to the line six times in the final 34 seconds, coolly sinking five of those attempts to seal the victory. This clutch performance capped a 25-point fourth quarter for the Beavers, who shot 19 for 24 from the line for the game.

The contest began in stark contrast to its finish. Saint Mary’s, fueled by the inside presence of Emily Foy and Abigail Shoff, controlled the first quarter, building a 17-12 lead. The Gaels’ defense then stifled Oregon State in a brutal third quarter, holding the Beavers to just nine points on 3-of-13 shooting. A jumper by Shoff with 44 seconds left in the third gave Saint Mary’s its largest lead at 39-29, and the Gaels took a 39-38 advantage into the final frame.

Oregon State’s resilience, a hallmark of its 10-5 start, surfaced in the fourth. The Beavers opened the quarter on a 14-4 run, reclaiming a lead they would not relinquish. The surge was keyed by Jenna Villa, who scored 10 of her team-high 16 points in the final period, and by relentless defensive pressure that generated 10 steals and forced 13 Saint Mary’s turnovers.

Villa, a 6-foot-1 sophomore from Arlington, Washington, led Oregon State with 16 points in 33 minutes. Tiara Bolden, a 5-11 guard from Eugene, Oregon, added 13 points, while point guard Kennedie Shuler of Gresham, Oregon, orchestrated the offense with 10 points, seven assists and two blocks in a team-high 36 minutes.

Saint Mary’s (9-6) was led by Foy, a 6-1 forward from Newcastle, Australia, who scored 15 points. Shoff, a 6-0 guard from Redding, California, contributed 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Gaels struggled from distance, making only 3 of 13 three-point attempts, and were outscored by 11 points at the free-throw line.

Despite shooting just 39.6% from the field compared to Saint Mary’s 39.7%, Oregon State won the efficiency battle. The Beavers scored 63 points on 62 possessions for an offensive rating of 101.0, while the Gaels managed only 57 points on 68 possessions, an 84.3 rating. Oregon State also held a slight edge in assists (10-9) and blocks (6-1).

The game, played before an intimate crowd of 326, served as a final tune-up before both teams enter conference play. Oregon State will host Pacific on Friday to begin a stretch of West Coast Conference games. Saint Mary’s opens its WCC slate on the road Friday at Pepperdine.

The victory extended Oregon State’s winning streak to three games, while Saint Mary’s has now dropped two straight following a loss to Portland on Sunday. The Beavers improved to 4-3 in true road games this season, demonstrating an ability to grind out wins in tough environments, a trait they will need as they navigate the WCC schedule.