Oregon State senior Stevie Thompson Jr scored thirty-four points, a career-high, as Oregon State earned a massive home win in overtime over the USC Trojans on Thursday night, 79-74.

“What do you say about Stevie?”, head coach Wayne Tinkle said after the win.  “Just stepping up as a senior, willing our team to victory, everyone else fed off of him.”

Thompson had a double-double with 10 rebounds in addition to his career scoring night, paced by 5 made 3-pointers.

The Beavers had an 18-0 run in the first half that turned an early 24-14 deficit into a 32-25 lead, eventually settling for a 36-31 advantage at halftime.

Oregon State got the win despite playing without their leading scorer and rebounder in Tres Tinkle, who has an injured ankle.  Tinkle is averaging 20.5 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.

The Beavers improve to 2-0 in Pac-12 play, and will host the UCLA Bruins on Saturday night.  UCLA (10-6, 3-0 Pac-12)  is fresh off an amazing last-minute rally against Oregon on Thursday, pulling out a 87-84 win in OT.

@1029TheGame

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