Lake’s Free Throws Propel Oregon State Past Arizona State, 78-75
Josiah Lake II delivered an impressive performance, scoring 23 points and making all 12 of his free throw attempts, leading the Oregon State Beavers to a thrilling 78-75 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday afternoon in Tempe, Arizona. This win marked a significant moment for Oregon State as they secured their first road victory of the season and improved their record to 7-6.
Oregon State entered the second half trailing 40-38 but quickly turned the game around. After Arizona State, with a record of 9-4, briefly took a commanding lead of 55-47 thanks to contributions from Massamba Diop and Maurice Odum, the Beavers responded with determination. They capitalized on multiple second-chance opportunities and converted crucial free throws, gradually closing the gap.
Lake played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence, not only through his scoring but also by providing nine assists. The Beavers took the lead for good with a critical three-pointer from Isaiah Sy with just 1:11 remaining in the game. Lake then sealed the victory by sinking two free throws with only six seconds left on the clock after a tense scramble that included a late turnover by Arizona State.
The Sun Devils were led by Odum, who scored 17 points and recorded six assists, while Diop contributed 16 points. Despite shooting 45% overall, Arizona State struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, finishing with just 4 of 19 (21%) from three-point range. They also committed nine turnovers, which proved costly in the closing moments of the game.
Oregon State’s defense was instrumental in their success, with back-to-back steals in the final seconds helping to secure the win. As the Beavers celebrate this hard-fought victory, Arizona State will have nearly two weeks to regroup before facing Colorado on January 1, 2024. Meanwhile, Oregon State is set to host Santa Clara next Saturday.
This game showcased the resilience of the Oregon State Beavers and the competitive spirit of college basketball, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming matchups in the season.
