The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed Sophomore forward Omari Johnson delivers a put back slam dunk in OSU's win over Houston.

The improbable season will continue for Oregon State, as the team that went 0-18 in Pac-10 play last season will live to play another day in the second round of the College Basketball Invitational after a 49-45 first round victory over Houston.

After graciously accepting an invitation to the CBI, the Beavers (14-17) had only a few days to prepare for the Houston Cougars (21-12) in the tournaments opening round. The Cougars began the game with a defensive look the Beavers did not expect to see after viewing game film of Houston.

"On the few tapes we saw we thought they might play mostly man and some 2-3 zone," head coach Craig Robinson said. "Not any 1-3-1 or the scrambling zone that they were playing. I thought our guys, after the first couple of minutes handled it. We just didn't make our shots."

Oregon State took the lead initially before the shooting went cold. Much of the first half both teams struggled from the field. The crowd of 3,511 tried to create energy for Oregon State as the Cougars jumped out to a 16-11 lead.

After grabbing a defensive rebound on one end, junior forward Seth Tarver was rewarded by junior center Roeland Schaftenaar who found Tarver near the 3-point line. Tarver did what many OSU players were hesitant to do, driving to the hole to deliver a strong one-handed dunk, bringing the Gill Coliseum crowd to their feet.

"We've had to dig ourselves out of jams," Robinson said. "I'm still trying to figure these guys out, because quite honestly maybe the years of futility, we are used to being down. Once we get down we start digging our way out."

With Tarver's slam coming with 1:25 left in the first half the Beavers and Cougars would enter the half with Houston up 19-16. Showing the teams struggles shooting, Houston entered the half having hit 5-23, while OSU was 6-23 from the floor. Oregon State won the first half battle of the boards pulling down 22 total rebounds.

In one of his top games of the season sophomore forward Daniel Deane banged bodies beneath the basket scoring a team-high six points in the first half. Deane continued his strong play in the second half as he scored points 20 and 22 before dishing to Tarver who cut Houston's lead to four.

Continued...

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