The Oregon State men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a 82-46 victory over Linfield Monday afternoon at Gill Coliseum.
Jordan Pope led the Beavers with 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor. Tyler Bilodeau and Dexter Akanno finished with 11 points apiece, while DaJohn Craig had nine points.
Thomas Ndong recorded seven rebounds, and Josiah Lake II recorded seven assists.
As a team, Oregon State shot 46.6 percent from the floor, and held Linfield to 28.3 percent shooting. The Beavers out-scored the Wildcats 30-12 on points in the paint.
The Beaver defense clamped down early on, as Oregon State held Linfield scoreless for the first five minutes of the game. Oregon State led 18-7 mid-way through the first half.
OSU scored eight unanswered points to take a 31-14 lead with three minutes to go before the break. The Beavers headed to the intermission leading 39-22. Craig and Pope each had nine points at the half.
Oregon State extended the advantage to 27 with 13 minutes to play. The Beavers went up 30 with five minutes on the clock and never looked back from there as they took the win by 36.
The Beavers will be back at Gill Coliseum Friday when Troy comes to Corvallis.