CORVALLIS, Ore. – Playing a top-25 team on the road is never easy but for two plus quarters the University of San Francisco women's basketball team was in total control.  Unfortunately, No. 17 Oregon State came to life early in the third quarter and the Dons upset bid fell short, as the Beavers came away with an 89-80 victory at Gill Coliseum on Thursday.
 
"I think we are still trying find out who we are and so every game we get gives us a clearer picture," said head coach Molly Goodenbour.  "Our shooting this year is something we haven't had in a long, long time. To have multiple players who can step out, to have post players who can step out and hit a three is huge for us. I think we a lot of really good pieces to work with, the more games we get to work with the more they will get some confidence in themselves as a team and as individuals, I think we can have a really good year."
 
The Dons (0-2) had three players in double figures and were led by redshirt freshman Ioanna Krimili's game-high27.  Krimili was nails from beyond the arc going 7-for-10 from 3-point range, she also had five assists.  It's her second consecutive game hitting six or more 3-point field goals.
 
"That's how she started out last year. That's who she is. It's not an aberration she's a really, really good shooter that's what we see every day," said Goodenbour. "If we can get her to be a little more efficient with her dribbling she's capable of being one of the best players of the league.  This is really a redo of her freshman year and now we've got some players around her. It's exciting to see where she will go from here, she helps make us go.
 
Joining Krimili in double figures was Julia Nielacna who had 18.  The redshirt sophomore was 7-for-15 from the field and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. Marta Galic added 12 points off the bench for the Dons.  She logged a season-high 23 minutes going 5-for-13 from the floor.  She also had 5 rebounds and two assists.
 
Oregon State (2-0) had four players in double figures.  Leading the Beavers in scoring was Sasha Goforth who had 24.  Taylor Jones added 19 points and grabbed 12 boards for a double-double, Aleah Goodman had 14 points, and Jasmine Simmons had 10. 
 
The Dons hot shooting from beyond the arc helped pave the way for a lead at the half.  USF went into the locker room holding a 43-35. The Dons closed out the half on an 11-2 run, thanks in part to their shooting from 3-point range.  USF was 9-for-18 from 3-point range in the first half, the Beavers responded by going 3-for-11 from long distance. 
 
Out of the break Oregon State went on a 11-2 run and retook the lead. The inside player from the Beavers provided a big boost for the Beavers. OSU finished with 38 points in the paint compared to the Dons 12.  In the second half, OSU was much more efficient from the field, connecting on 55 percent (16-29) of their attempts.
 
"Out of the break we were a little tentative against their zone," said Goodenbour. "We don't see much of that in practice.  Overall, I'm just excited we got to play a game. It was last minute addition to the schedule, we asked the team if they wanted to go they were super excited to go up and play someone besides themselves, and play a really good team.  We aren't going see a lot of 6-8, 6-9 players down the stretch. We took some big steps at figuring out what we are and what we can be."
 
The Dons will return to action next Thursday when they take on the California Golden Bears. That game is schedule to tip off at 6:00 p.m. at Haas Pavilion. George Devine will have the call live on the Dons Audio Stream.