Turnovers a symptom, not cause in OSU loss

THERE’S A LESSON to be learned in Oregon State’s first loss of the season. Many will point to Alabama’s late three after Oregon State clawed back to tie the game from a double-digit, second half deficit. But the Beavs lost the game long before that.

OSU came back from 15 points down midway through the second half to tie the game 62-62 with 43 seconds left. But Alabama hit a three-pointer and took the 65-62 victory Thursday night and that was that.

But that wasn't the story. Neither were the turnovers or that Alabama’s trap forced eight Oregon State turnovers in the first 10 minutes and a disheartening 20 turnovers all told.

Alabama's trap and aggressive defense kept OSU from running or playing their kind of game. Alabama played physical, in-your-face defense and the number of fouls resulted in either team from playing with any kind of rhythm.

Alabama forced Oregon State to react to everything they did. That was the problem.

OSU should have tried harder to impose their style of play on Alabama. Instead they accepted it, and they played into Alabama’s hand. It’s a lesson OSU can learn from early in the season, and not let happen again.

Alabama led 52-37 with 12:31 to play. The Beavers (2-1) finally stopped turning the ball over and took advantage of the umpteenth shooting slump by Alabama to eventually tie the score at 62-62 when Devon Collier made two free throws with 43 seconds to play.

Collier came off the bench to score 21 points for Oregon State while Angus Brandt had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. They were the only Beavs to score in double figures.

Eric Moreland added six points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

"Our frontcourt is pretty darn good," Robinson said. "We just got started late."

Alabama opened the second half on a 12-2 run. The Crimson Tide forced 20 Oregon State turnovers. Ahmad Starks scored three points on 1-for-6 shooting.

Correction: OSU plays Purdue (1-2) in the 2K Sports consolation game on Friday at 2 p.m. in a game televised on ESPNU. Following that, OSU is off until after Thanksgiving, next taking the court on Sunday, Nov 25 at home against Montana State.