Carl Berman 
9 Jan 2012 
1 commentCollege basketball games that go to 4 overtimes are very rare. Usually there are 2-3 per year in NCAA Division 1. In 2009 the Syracuse-Connecticut Big East Tournament game was a classic that was decided after 6 overtime periods. This past Saturday night in Corvallis, Oregon State and Stanford battled over 4 overtime periods before Stanford escaped with a 103-101 victory.
The difference in the game was Oregon State’s inability to hold double-digit first and second half leads, their missing key foul shots and their inability to execute at the end of regulation and in the first three overtime periods. It seemed like the Beavers digressed to one-on-one play at the close of each stanza. Angus Brandt missed three key free throws towards the end of regulation, Ahmad Starks dribbled the ball off his foot near the end of the 1st overtime, Joe Burton missed a key free throw at the end of the 2nd overtime and poor shot selection at the close of the 3rd overtime led to Chasson Randle’s tying three -pointer. The Beavers also had numerous chances off the offensive boards near the close of the 3rd and 4th overtimes and could not convert, although it appeared that there may have been sufficient contact to warrant a foul, especially when Devon Collier had to leave the game after being hit in the face on an offensive rebound shot attempt. Oregon State had three attempts off the offensive glass after stealing the ball with 17 seconds left and down by one (102-101). Roberto Nelson’s three-pointer at the buzzer hit the front rim and bounced away, finally ending the contest.
Stanford seemed to be able to run their offense better than Oregon State late on the game. 6’9 Dwight Powell came off the bench with some big hoops and boards (10 points, 11 rebounds). Freshman Chasson Randle was the star of the game scoring 24 points for the Cardinal, including the tying three-pointer in the 3rd overtime and was especially important after point guard Aaron Bright (18 points, 6 assists) fouled out. Roberto Nelson (19 points) led Oregon State with 19 points including back-to-back three-pointers with only one shoe on. It was a classic in Corvallis.
You can see clips below from the end of regulation, the end of the second overtime and the end of the game.
Great ballgame, Stanford is really playing well this season and now able to win on the road.
Chris Denker