CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant start and a desperate finish, the Wisconsin women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 62-58 victory over Oregon State on Thursday night at Gill Coliseum.

The Badgers, improving to 14-17 overall, built a commanding early lead and then withstood a furious second-half rally spearheaded by Oregon State’s Tiara Bolden to snap a four-game losing streak. The Beavers, who entered the contest with a 23-11 record and a 77% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, fell to 23-12.

Wisconsin established control from the opening tip, leveraging its defense to fuel its offense. The Badgers opened the game on a 15-2 run, capitalizing on early Oregon State turnovers and missed shots. Destiny Howell of Queens, New York, was instrumental in the early surge, scoring seven quick points off steals and turnovers. The Beavers, visibly out of rhythm, managed just 10 points in the first quarter and 12 in the second, heading into halftime trailing 31-22.

The third quarter belonged to Oregon State and specifically to Tiara Bolden. The junior guard from Eugene, Oregon, ignited the Beavers, scoring 13 points in the period as part of her game-high 23-point performance. She hit a trio of three-pointers, assisted on another, and spearheaded a 21-point quarter for Oregon State that erased the deficit and briefly gave the Beavers a lead. A Kennedie Shuler assist to Jenna Villa for a layup just before the third-quarter buzzer cut Wisconsin’s lead to a precarious 49-43.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minutes. With Wisconsin leading 56-53 and under three minutes to play, Bolden struck again, draining a deep three-pointer off an assist from Lara Alonso to tie the game at 56 with 2:51 remaining. The Gill Coliseum crowd of 2,014 erupted, sensing a complete comeback.

Wisconsin, however, responded with composure. Following a shot-clock violation, the Badgers worked the ball to Kyrah Daniels of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, who sank a clutch three-pointer from the wing, assisted by Ronnie Porter, to put Wisconsin back ahead 59-56 with 1:54 left.

On the ensuing possession, Bolden drove for a potential tying score, but her shot was emphatically blocked by Wisconsin’s Dorja Iva Zaja. The Croatian freshman secured the defensive rebound, a pivotal moment that preserved the three-point margin. After a series of timeouts and defensive stands, Oregon State’s Jenna Villa hit a tough jumper with nine seconds left to pull the Beavers within 60-58.

Wisconsin inbounded the ball and Oregon State was forced to foul. The Badgers sealed the game at the free-throw line, providing the final four-point margin.

Zaja was a central figure in the victory, contributing 18 points, two steals, and two blocks in just 24 minutes off the bench. Her defensive presence, particularly the late block on Bolden, was a defining moment. Howell finished with 13 points, while Daniels added 11 points and three assists. Porter, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, directed the offense with six assists.

For Oregon State, Bolden’s 23 points and four assists led the way. Kennedie Shuler of Gresham, Oregon, facilitated with six assists and nine points, and Jenna Villa of Arlington, Washington, chipped in 11 points.

The win marked a significant road victory for a Wisconsin team that had struggled in recent outings, while Oregon State was left to ponder a missed opportunity on its home floor to add to its win total late in the season.