Feb 16, 2019; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers head coach Wayne Tinkle talks to his son, forward Tres Tinkle (3), during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers beat the Ducks 72-57. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Tres freaking Tinkle.
The Oregon State senior forward, one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, was the difference on Saturday in Iowa State’s 80-74 loss to the Beavers in Corvallis. Tinkle, a first-team All-Pac-12 honoree last season, scored 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range.
None of Tinkle’s shots were as big as the two he made on back-to-back possessions late in the second half after Iowa State had taken a one-point lead with 2:04 left in the game.
The Cyclones, who trailed by as much as 14 points in the first half, had battled back from a nine-point halftime deficit on the back of star sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton, who scored all 15 of his points after the break. Iowa State’s floor general shot 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from 3-point range but missed two crucial free throws with less than a minute left in the game that would have pulled the Cyclones back within one possession following Tinkle’s 3-pointers.
Haliburton also completed his second double-double in as many games by dishing 12 assists to go along with seven rebounds.
Iowa State’s scoring attack was led by Rasir Bolton, who finished with 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-point range. Sophomore center George Conditt also scored in double-figures contributing 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting plus six rebounds and a career-high five blocks in 21 minutes of play.
As a team, the Cyclones shot 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range with seven makes. Oregon State connected on 49 percent of its shots from the field and 57 percent from deep.
Kylor Kelley and Zach Reichle each scored in double-figures for the Beavers with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Nobody played a bigger role in the game though than Tres freaking Tinkle.
At least the Cyclones will not have to see the Beavers’ star again when Northern Illinois visits Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday.
