In a shocking upset that sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, the unranked Oregon State Beavers stunned the #16 Gonzaga Bulldogs 97-89 in an overtime thriller at Gill Coliseum on Thursday night. The electric home crowd erupted as the final buzzer sounded, confirming the Beavers’ first victory over a ranked opponent in years.
Rataj’s Career Night Fuels Beavers
The star of the show was undoubtedly Michael Rataj, who poured in a career-high 29 points to lead the Beavers. The sophomore guard was electric all night, hitting clutch shots and energizing the home crowd with his passionate play.
The way this team has gone about its work, they’re so deserving.
— Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle
Bulldogs’ Winning Streak Snapped
Gonzaga, led by Graham Ike’s 26 points and 9 rebounds, fought valiantly but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Beavers’ relentless attack. The loss snapped the Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak and dealt a blow to their West Coast Conference title hopes.
Tight Throughout
The game was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish, with neither team able to pull away. Ike’s clutch three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime tied at 83. But in the extra period, it was all Oregon State, as they outscored the Bulldogs 14-6 to seal the momentous upset.
Looking Ahead
The victory could prove to be a turning point for an Oregon State program that has struggled mightily in recent years. At 14-5 overall and 4-2 in the WCC, the Beavers now have their sights set on a potential NCAA Tournament berth. They’ll look to build on this momentum when they visit San Francisco on Saturday.
As for Gonzaga, the loss is a tough pill to swallow but by no means a fatal blow. The Bulldogs will aim to bounce back quickly as they host Santa Clara on Saturday. And with the teams set to become conference rivals when Gonzaga joins Oregon State in the new-look Pac-12 in 2026, this budding rivalry may just be getting started.
