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CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Colton Weisbrod's legs were cramping, and he felt sore and tired after a game in which he played all 40 minutes. But if that's what it takes.
Weisbrod had 16 points and 12 rebounds as Lamar forced 27 turnovers and held on to beat Oregon State 63-60 on Wednesday night.
"We're one of those teams, we're going to fight, we're going to battle. . You want to be that team that when people talk about you, they say, 'They're scrappy, they go after you, they don't give up,'" said Weisbrod, a junior college transfer.
Marcus Owens added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Cardinals (2-0).
Lamar coach Tic Price said that his team has to rely on defensive pressure every game because of his undersized players.
"We believe in getting deflections and turnovers. . What we were trying to do as much as possible was keep Oregon State from executing their offense," Price added.
The Cardinals shot only 28 percent, but had a whopping 71 attempts.
Drew Eubanks had 17 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and six blocks for the Beavers (2-1). Jaquori McLaughlin added 15 points.
"They just were tougher than us mentally, physically. Our guys didn't respond. We knew they were going to play that way," Beavers coach Wayne Tinkle said.
Last year, Oregon State's season high in turnovers was 18.
The Beavers trailed 54-48 when they resorted to fouling with 1:13 remaining. The Cardinals left the door open by shooting 8 of 13 on free throws.
With 1.5 seconds left, Lamar led 63-60 and had Torey Noel at the line but he missed his second free throw. Oregon State's Tres Tinkle, the coach's son, launched a half court desperation heave that wasn't close.
The Cardinals led 29-25 at the break after forcing the Beavers into 18 first-half turnovers.
An Owens' 3-pointer with 16:15 remaining gave Lamar a 39-29 lead. The Cardinals stretched their advantage to 12 points.
Oregon State responded with a 12-0 run, capped by a McLaughlin layup, to tie the game at 41, but the Cardinals regained a cushion.
BIG PICTURE
Lamar: Lamar faced a height disadvantage, as the Cardinals' two tallest players are 6-foot-8. The Beavers had three players who are 6-foot-8 or taller in their starting lineup. . Weisbrod is a transfer student from Lamar State College Port Arthur, where he was a NJCAA First-Team All-American.
Oregon State: Stephen Thompson Jr., the third-leading scorer last season, missed the second game in a row for precautionary reasons due to a left foot injury. He had been considered day-to-day.
HEART: Price said Weisbrod, a 6-foot-5 forward, was a special competitor. "He's undersized, but he's probably got more heart than all the guys put together on the court. . He doesn't take plays off. He plays hard every day, all day, every time he hits the court," Price added.
FREE THROWS: Oregon State lived at the line in its first two games, averaging 43 free-throw attempts, but was only 11 of 19 on Wednesday night.
OFF NIGHT: Tres Tinkle averaged 23 points in his first two games, but was harassed into an off night, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds on 1-of-7 shooting.
UP NEXT
Lamar plays on Saturday at Fresno State. The defending Mountain West Conference champions will look to bounce back after a loss to Prairie View A&M on Monday.
Oregon State plays on Friday at Nevada, picked to finish second in the Mountain West.
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