No. 17 Oregon State holds No. 4 Colorado to its lowest scoring total of the season in 65-59 win

Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod, center, is trapped with the ball between Oregon State forward Raegan Beers, left, and guard Lily Hansford, right, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Talia von Oelhoffen scored 18 points and No. 17 Oregon State played tough defense to hold No. 4 Colorado to its lowest scoring total of the season and beat the Buffaloes 65-59 on Sunday.

It was Oregon State’s fifth straight win and first top-5 road victory in the team’s history.

The winning streak by the Beavers (20-3, 9-3 Pac-12) began with a win over the then-No. 3 Buffaloes on Jan. 26.

Oregon State forward Raegan Beers, center left, congratulates forward Timea Gardiner, center right, who made a 3-point basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“I thought our team really embraced how hard it was going to be and how fast they play at home,” Oregon State coach Scott Rueck said. “I thought we did a really good job of keeping them out of transition for most of the game and I just loved our defensive intensity and our accuracy.”

Raegan Beers added 12 points and 12 rebounds and spearheaded Oregon State’s strong defensive play. Timea Gardiner also had 12 points, all on 3-pointers.

Colorado forward Quay Miller, center, struggles to control a rebound as Oregon State forwards Raegan Beers, left, and Kelsey Rees (53) defend in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“We know what we were capable of doing coming into this game,” Beers said. “I think that helped us today.”

Colorado (20-4, 10-3) put together a strong fourth quarter, outscoring Oregon State 21-5, but the Beavers had built a large enough lead to survive the surge. They led by as many as 25 points in the second half.

Jaylyn Sherrod had 14 points for the Buffaloes, who were held to 36.9% shooting from the floor. The Buffaloes previous scoring low came in a 61-48 win at Oregon two weeks ago.

Colorado struggled against Oregon State’s physical defense from the outset, hitting just three of their first 15 shots and trailing 17-8 after the first quarter. It was the Buffaloes lowest point total in the first quarter since scoring six in a Nov. 25 loss against North Carolina State.

Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, picks up the ball as Colorado forward Quay Miller, right, pursues in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“I’m really proud of how we competed and battled and fought down the stretch of the game,” Colorado coach JR Payne said. “I’m also proud and equally frustrated with how we started the game. I thought we got decent looks but I also thought we kind of went back to taking some ill-advised early shots which we know doesn’t work for us. We weren’t prepared to execute the offense the way it needed to be executed.”

Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod (00) looks to pass the ball as Oregon State guard Talia von Oelhoffen, top, defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BIG PICTURE

Oregon State: The Beavers have relied on strong defensive play throughout the season and they showcased it again in their latest victory. They leaned on it in the second half to hold off Colorado’s late charge.

Oregon State guard Donovyn Hunter, left, drives the lane as Colorado guard Frida Formann, right, drops back to defend in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado: The Buffaloes looked out of sorts offensively for most of the game but rallied in the fourth period. They succeeded in making it close but were too far out of it to come back.

Oregon State guard AJ Marotte, right, looks to pass the ball as Colorado guard Maddie Nolan, left, defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

UP NEXT

Oregon State: Hosts No. 9 UCLA on Friday night.

Colorado: Visits No. 20 Utah on Friday night.

Oregon State guard Talia von Oelhoffen, left, fights for control of the ball with Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod, right, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

___

Get alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.

Colorado guard Jaylyn Sherrod reacts after driving to basket to score in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oregon State, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

___

AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Oregon State forward Raegan Beers, center, fights for control of the ball with Colorado guard Maddie Nolan, right, as Colorado forward Brianna McLeod, left, defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Oregon State forward Raegan Beers (15) looks on after hitting a basket in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Colorado, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado guard Mikayla Johnson, center, drives to the basket between Oregon State guard AJ Marotte, left, and forward Kelsey Rees, right, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado center Aaronette Vonleh (21) goes up for a basket as Oregon State forward Raegan Beers (15) defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)