Oregon State struggled to close out games all season, but found a way on Wednesday against USC in what went down as the most important win of the season.

Final: Beavers 56, Trojans 48.

No. 11-seed Oregon State got 18 points from freshman Raegan Beers and held the tournament’s No. 6-seed to 29 percent shooting.

Said coach Scott Rueck: “What a great win… we’ve had a lot of similar scenarios where we’ve been in a lot of tight games… and come up short.”

USC fell to 21-9. OSU (13-17) overcame an eight-point deficit late and advanced to Thursday’s second round, where it will play No. 3-seed Colorado at 8:30p on the Pac-12 Networks.

Oregon State’s Adlee Blacklock scored 15 points and Bendu Yeaney had eight assists.

“I’m so proud of them and happy for them, to watch them rise and pull out a game,” said Rueck.

I sent a photographer to Las Vegas to capture the game.

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