To say Oregon State is a different team at home would be an understatement.
Washington State is keenly aware entering Thursday night’s Pacific-12 Conference matchup in Corvallis, Ore.
The Beavers (11-11, 3-8 Pac-12) are tied for last in the conference, but they’re 11-2 at Gill Coliseum — including an 83-80 home upset of then-No. 9 Arizona on Jan. 25 as Jordan Pope scored a career-high 31 points, including a 3-pointer at the final buzzer.
“Coming back home … it was all about bringing the fight to them,” Beavers coach Wayne Tinkle said of beating the Wildcats. “They’re a talented team, obviously.”
The same can be said about the Cougars (16-6, 7-4), who are tied for second in the Pac-12 with Oregon, just a game behind Arizona.
Washington State is coming off a 90-87 overtime victory Saturday at rival Washington.
Guard Myles Rice assisted on the tying basket with four seconds remaining in regulation and made a decisive 3-pointer in the extra session. Rice earned his second consecutive Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honor and fifth this season.