Kelly leads Savannah St. past Oregon St. 93-90 in overtime (Dec 11, 2016)
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Savannah State suffered a blowout loss in its last game, but came out with a different mindset on Sunday.
''We came out with a lot more energy,'' said freshman forward Robert Kelly Jr. ''We came out with a passion to win.''
Kelly had career highs of 24 points and nine rebounds as Savannah State held off Oregon State 93-90 in overtime on Sunday.
Joshua Floyd had 14 points and seven rebounds and Dexter McClanahan added 12 points for the Tigers (3-8).
Savannah State coach Horace Broadnax said his squad used full court pressure and a 2-3 zone to neutralize Oregon State's height advantage.
''We want to play fast. If people want to play fast with us, that's great,'' Broadnax said.
Drew Eubanks had 23 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks and Stephen Thompson Jr. added 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Beavers (3-7).
Troyce Manassa sank a 3-pointer and then drove for a lay-in to make it 91-86.
A pair of Kendal Manuel free throws for the Beavers made the score 91-88 with 24 seconds left. The Beavers fouled Austin Dascent, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. JaQuori McLaughlin made a lay-in with 10 seconds left for the Beavers.
Zach Seller was fouled by the Beavers with 5.8 seconds remaining and sank both free throws. McLaughlin missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Beavers.
Savannah State shot 15-for-34 on 3-pointers, compared to 10-for-35 for the Beavers. Oregon State came into the game averaging 15.5 attempts per game from long range.
The Tigers led 50-44 at the break.
''The first half, we played their tempo,'' said Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle.
With the game tied at 84 late in regulation, Manassa missed a mid-range jumper for Savannah State, and the Beavers corralled the ball with 2.6 seconds. Thompson missed a half-court shot for the Beavers at the buzzer.
BIG PICTURE
Savannah State: The Tigers came into Sunday leading the nation with 15.5 made 3-pointers per game. . Kelly is a freshman and his previous career high in points was nine at Iowa State on Nov. 11.
Oregon State: Leading scorer Tres Tinkle missed his fourth straight game after breaking a bone in his non-shooting hand. . Ben Kone got his first playing time after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee as a high school senior. The forward had four points and two rebounds in 10 minutes.
EASY BUCKETS: Kelly benefited from the Tigers attacking the basket, Broadnax said. ''He played opposite and got a lot of easy lay-ups. That's how we want our five guy to play. He did real well, made some tough shots,'' he said.
BONUS BUST: Tinkle said his team was in the bonus the last four minutes of regulation and overtime but didn't take advantage. ''We needed to be much more aggressive when we're in the bonus and get fouled,'' he added.
UP NEXT
Savannah State plays at William & Mary on Monday, Dec. 19. The Tribe are 3-4 but on a 16-game non-conference home winning streak.
Oregon State plays on Friday in Portland at the Dam City Classic against Long Beach State (2-10 but with a brutal schedule).
