March 5, 1998

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Sparked by senior Monica Watts' game-high 26 points, the Oregon State women's basketball team snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 73-69 Pac-10 Conference victory over California in front of 754 fans at Gill Coliseum Thursday evening.

The Beavers had to come from behind to overtake the Bears, as Cal led by as many as 11 points midway through the first half. Watts scored 10 of her 26 points in the last five minutes of the first half to send the Beavers into the locker room with a 38-34 advantage.

Oregon State extended its lead to nine in the early minutes of the second half to put the score at 47-38. Cal then went on a 10-0 run, including six points from Paige Bowie, to regain the lead. Watts then hit a free throw to tie the game at 48-48, and there would be six more ties and lead changes before the Beavers would secure the lead for good.

Oregon State had four players score in double figures, led by Watts, who also finished with a game-high nine rebounds. Sophomore Vanessa Morris added 13 points for the Beavers, and sophomore Sissel Pierce scored 11 points. Senior Nicole McAllister added 10. Bowie led the Bears with 24 points, and Masa Radovic collected 10 points as just two Cal players reached double-figures. The Beavers shot 45.8 percent (27-59) on the evening, compared with Cal's 47.5 percent accuracy (28-59). The Bears also outrebounded the Beavers, 41-32, but Cal committed seven more turnovers (27-20) than Oregon State.

With the win, Oregon State now stands at 7-19 overall and 2-15 in Pac-10 action. Cal is 6-21 and 2-15 as well. The Beavers conclude the 1997-98 season when they host Stanford at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7 in Gill Coliseum.