LAS VEGAS — Catarina Ferreira delivered an impressive performance with 16 points and 12 rebounds, propelling Oregon State to victory in their inaugural West Coast Conference tournament. They defeated Portland, the two-time reigning champions, ending their 13-game winning streak with a decisive 59-46 win on Tuesday.
This triumph earned the fourth-seeded Beavers (19-15) an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament, hot on the heels of their dramatic upset over top-seed Gonzaga, 63-61, in the semifinals. Oregon State has participated in the NCAA Tournament 13 times before, with a Final Four appearance back in 2016 marking their most notable achievement.
In this final match, Ferreira was instrumental, shooting 5 of 12 from the field, including a 3-pointer, and making 5 of 9 free throws. Teammate AJ Marotte added to the effort with 11 points despite a challenging 3-for-12 shooting night.
On the other side, Maisie Burnham stood out for the second-seeded Pilots (29-4) with her dynamic play, accumulating 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Her shooting was marked by struggles as well, with a 3 for 12 performance from the field, though she excelled in free-throw shooting, making 9 of 10 attempts. Alexis Mark contributed with 11 points and five rebounds.
Portland began the game strong, guided by Burnham’s six points to a 13-9 advantage by the end of the first quarter. However, Oregon State turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring the Pilots by 14 points to secure a 27-17 lead at halftime.
The Beavers further established their dominance in the third quarter, highlighted by Sela Heide’s offensive rebound and score that extended their lead to a commanding 39-25 with five minutes remaining. Despite Burnham’s effort at the foul line, the Pilots found themselves trailing 42-32 by the end of the quarter.
In the final period, Portland battled back to narrow the gap, assisted by Emme Shearer’s critical 3-pointer to bring them within 47-41. Yet, Oregon State responded, fueled by Ferreira’s second-chance layup that sparked a 6-0 run, allowing them to maintain control and seal the victory.
Including this recent run, the Pilots have now secured six overall appearances in the NCAA Tournament, though they have faced challenges, falling in the first round each time. As for the Beavers, they made strong impressions in previous Pac-12 Tournaments, capturing three consecutive titles from 2015 to 2017.
