Wagner preps team for improvement
Tori Hill
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports
By Tori Hill
The Daily Barometer
Tonight the Oregon State women's basketball team heads to Houston to take on the Houston Cougars. Last year, the Beavers were victorious against the Cougars 69-47 in the second all-time matchup of the two squads. Oregon State is 1-1 in the series, going into their third game against Houston.
"It's a tale of reversal," head coach LaVonda Wagner said. "Last year they came in here, they were new and young. Now we're going into their home court and they're the older team and we're young."
When Oregon State faced Houston last year at Gill Coliseum, junior forward Talisa Rhea led the Beavers with 18 points. Houston returns nine players from last season, as well as four starters. Junior forward Courtney Taylor led the Cougars last year, averaging 17 points a game ,and returns this season.
Coming off a close win over the Cal Poly Mustangs, Oregon State's big focus this week will be on free throws and turnovers. Last weekend, the Beavers shot a mere 47 percent from the free throw line and committed 20 turnovers.
"We're still trying to get game-ready, every single day, every single practice," Wagner said. "We have to shoot better from the free throw line. We have to get better mentally."
The Beavers were led last weekend by Rhea and sophomore guard Kirsten Tilleman. Tilleman had 19 points for Oregon State and eight rebounds against the Mustangs. Tilleman expects her team to come out strong this week against the Cougars.
"They're really a running team; they're really athletic, and they look to push it," Tilleman said. "A big thing for us is being able to find them early and stop their transition. We have to really work well as a team; we really have to talk."
Houston, 2-0 thus far in the season, is coming off a 19-10 season last year where they tied for second place in their conference. The Cougars met up against Gardner Webb of North Carolina and won 86-64 on Nov. 13, and they are coming off a victory against UT Arlington, 76-74. Houston hosts Oregon State for their first season home opener Thursday at 7 p.m.
"We have to be able to learn how to execute, defend and rebound on the road," Wagner said. "Going into a hostile environment and taking care of the basketball and valuing each possession [is really important]. We're still looking for that identity."
After playing Houston on Thursday, the Beavers will rest up before taking on Houston Baptist on Sunday at 12 p.m. It will be the first time in history that the two schools have met, and Wagner expects her squad to come out prepared.
"We've planned to work, now we must work our plan," Wagner said.
Tori Hill, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
The Daily Barometer
Tonight the Oregon State women's basketball team heads to Houston to take on the Houston Cougars. Last year, the Beavers were victorious against the Cougars 69-47 in the second all-time matchup of the two squads. Oregon State is 1-1 in the series, going into their third game against Houston.
"It's a tale of reversal," head coach LaVonda Wagner said. "Last year they came in here, they were new and young. Now we're going into their home court and they're the older team and we're young."
When Oregon State faced Houston last year at Gill Coliseum, junior forward Talisa Rhea led the Beavers with 18 points. Houston returns nine players from last season, as well as four starters. Junior forward Courtney Taylor led the Cougars last year, averaging 17 points a game ,and returns this season.
Coming off a close win over the Cal Poly Mustangs, Oregon State's big focus this week will be on free throws and turnovers. Last weekend, the Beavers shot a mere 47 percent from the free throw line and committed 20 turnovers.
"We're still trying to get game-ready, every single day, every single practice," Wagner said. "We have to shoot better from the free throw line. We have to get better mentally."
The Beavers were led last weekend by Rhea and sophomore guard Kirsten Tilleman. Tilleman had 19 points for Oregon State and eight rebounds against the Mustangs. Tilleman expects her team to come out strong this week against the Cougars.
"They're really a running team; they're really athletic, and they look to push it," Tilleman said. "A big thing for us is being able to find them early and stop their transition. We have to really work well as a team; we really have to talk."
Houston, 2-0 thus far in the season, is coming off a 19-10 season last year where they tied for second place in their conference. The Cougars met up against Gardner Webb of North Carolina and won 86-64 on Nov. 13, and they are coming off a victory against UT Arlington, 76-74. Houston hosts Oregon State for their first season home opener Thursday at 7 p.m.
"We have to be able to learn how to execute, defend and rebound on the road," Wagner said. "Going into a hostile environment and taking care of the basketball and valuing each possession [is really important]. We're still looking for that identity."
After playing Houston on Thursday, the Beavers will rest up before taking on Houston Baptist on Sunday at 12 p.m. It will be the first time in history that the two schools have met, and Wagner expects her squad to come out prepared.
"We've planned to work, now we must work our plan," Wagner said.
Tori Hill, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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