Bad time for OSU shooting woes to surface

THERE’S NEVER A good time to go cold from the field but the Pac-12 tournament is certainly one of the worst. Oregon State shot badly against Colorado but somehow remained within striking distance for much of the second half. But in the end, OSU dug too deep a hole and was eliminated by a score of 74-68 in Las Vegas.

Oregon State (14-18) shot just 39.7 percent from the floor. Colorado (21-10) hit 39.3 percent of their shots.

Despite the shooting woes, Eric Moreland’s dunk and Challe Barton’s trey gave the Beavers a brief lead midway through the first half, 14-11. After a Colorado run, Victor Robbins’ three-pointer gave OSU a 26-25 edge in the closing minutes.

That was the last time OSU held the lead.

Colorado closed the first half out strong to take a 32-26 lead – one that included a halfcourt heave at the buzzer.

OSU again came back, climbing to within 38-37 on a Roberto Nelson bucket with 13:30 left on the clock. Colorado went on a 10-3 run and later built their lead to an insurmountable 12 points.

Oregon State had one final run in them, climbing back to within six on a pair of quick treys by Ahmad Starks and then five on a triple by Eric Moreland.

But OSU could never get enough stops, and Colorado hit enough of their free throws, to get it down to a one possession lead.

Moreland notched a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. He also notched five blocks.

Colorado’s Andre Roberson, coming off an illness, had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Junior guard Roberto Nelson finished with a team-high 20 points for the Beavers.