In a wild college basketball showdown, Oregon State pulled off a gutsy comeback to slip past Arizona State, 78-75. The game in Tempe, Arizona, had plenty of drama, but Josiah Lake II’s performance really stole the spotlight.
Lake dropped 23 points, knocked down every free throw, and handed out nine assists. His clutch play helped Oregon State erase a deficit and grab their first road win of the season.
This brings Oregon State up to 7-6, while Arizona State falls to 9-4. The Beavers definitely needed this one.
Josiah Lake II’s Heroics Propel Oregon State
Josiah Lake II was the guy everyone was talking about after the final buzzer. He poured in 23 points and went a perfect 12-for-12 at the line.
He also found his teammates for nine assists. Lake kept his cool when it mattered most, especially at the stripe in crunch time.
Second-Half Surge
Oregon State’s win really came together after halftime. They were down two at the break, but put up 40 in the second half.
At one point, they trailed by eight, but they kept chipping away. Second-chance buckets and steady free-throw shooting made all the difference.
Key Moments in the Game
There were a handful of moments that swung this one. Early in the second half, Arizona State looked like they had it, building a 55-47 cushion with help from Massamba Diop and Maurice Odum.
But Oregon State just wouldn’t go away. They found ways to close the gap and keep things interesting.
Isaiah Sy’s Crucial 3-Pointer
With just over a minute left, Isaiah Sy knocked down a massive three. That shot put Oregon State ahead for good.
The energy in the building shifted, and it suddenly felt like the Beavers had all the momentum.
Lake’s Clutch Free Throws
Six seconds on the clock, and the game still hung in the balance. Lake calmly sank two free throws after a wild scramble and turnover.
His perfect night at the line really sealed it. You could see the relief on his face.
Arizona State’s Struggles
Arizona State fought hard, but they just couldn’t get it done in key spots. Their three-point shooting was rough—they hit only 4 of 19 from deep, just 21%.
Turnovers hurt, too. Nine giveaways in a tight game like this? That’s going to sting.
Top Performers for Arizona State
Still, there were some bright spots for the Sun Devils. Maurice Odum led the way with 17 points and six assists.
Massamba Diop chipped in 16. Even so, it just wasn’t enough down the stretch.
Looking Ahead
Arizona State gets a nearly two-week breather before they face Colorado on January 1. Maybe that’s what they need to hit reset and work out the kinks.
Oregon State’s Next Challenge
Oregon State doesn’t have to wait as long—they’ll host Santa Clara on Saturday. It’s a good chance to ride this wave and see if they can keep the momentum going at home.
Oregon State pulled off a wild 78-75 win over Arizona State, and honestly, it was Josiah Lake II who stole the show. That second half? Oregon State really kicked it up a notch.
Isaiah Sy hit a big 3-pointer when it mattered, and Lake knocked down some clutch free throws. Arizona State just couldn’t get their shooting together and gave the ball away too much, but hey, they didn’t give up without a fight.
If you’re curious for more stats or want to dig into the post-game breakdown, check out the full story on Fox Sports: Lake’s 23 Points Rally Oregon State Over Arizona State.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
