CORVALLIS, Ore. — Michael Rataj scored a career-high 29 points and Oregon State pulled away late in overtime to beat No. 16 Gonzaga 97-89 on Thursday night.
Nate Kingz added 20 points for the Beavers (14-5, 4-2 West Coast Conference), who were boosted by a sellout crowd at Gill Coliseum.
Head coach Wayne Tinkle acknowledged it was a significant win for Oregon State, which has gone 27-68 over the past three seasons, including 3-28 in the 2021-22 season.
“It's an incredible reward after the shit we've been through the last three years as a program,” Tinkle said. “The way this team has done their job, they deserve it very much.”
Graham Ike had 26 points and nine rebounds for Gonzaga (14-5, 5-1) before fouling out in overtime. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak.
Braden Huff's jumper put Gonzaga up 91-89 with 57 seconds left in overtime, but Liutauras Lelevicius responded with a layup for the Beavers. Oregon State closed out the game with free throws before fans ran onto the court.
It was tight throughout. Oregon State tied it at 77 on a jumper by Damarco Minor, then took the lead on a basket by Rataj with 1:39 left.
Ben Gregg hit a three-pointer for Gonzaga with 21 seconds left to cut the score to 81-80. After Lake made free throws, Ike hit a three-pointer that sent it to overtime tied at 83.
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs play Oregon State this season and next in the WCC, before joining the Beavers and Washington State as non-football members of the rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026.
Oregon State: The last meeting between the two teams was in the 1991-92 season, at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers have won 13 consecutive games. Gonzaga's last victory was in 1932.
Ike's 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation sent it to overtime. Ike made only seven three-pointers all of last season.
The loss snapped Gonzaga's 11-game winning streak in true road games.
Gonzaga hosts Santa Clara on Saturday.
Oregon State visits San Francisco on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
