UCLA shows grit in win over Oregon State on the road

CORVALLIS, Ore. â€”  Chris Smith scored nine of his 15 points down the stretch, leading UCLA to a 62-58 victory over Oregon State on Thursday night.

The Bruins (10-9, 3-3 in Pac-12 play) made their last nine free throws in the last two minutes to stay in front.

Zach Reichle made two free throws with 11.6 seconds left that brought Oregon State (12-7, 2-5) to within one point at 56-55.

Jalen Hill then made two free throws for UCLA, his first points of the game.

Tyger Campbell fouled Oregon State’s Ethan Thompson with 6.6 seconds left, preventing him from getting off a 3-pointer.

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Thompson made both free throws cutting the lead to one.

Hill went back to the line at the 5.4-second mark and came through again with two free throws.

Thompson made one of two free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining, and UCLA’s Jules Bernard converted two free throws for UCLA to seal the win.

UCLA opened the second half on a 13-2 run and took its biggest lead at 39-26 on Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s fast-break layup with 15:05 remaining.

Oregon State’s Tres Tinkle scored inside and Alfred Hollins hit a 3-pointer, cutting the lead to 42-36.

Thompson’s three-point play brought the Beavers within two points at 43-41.

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Oregon State took its first lead since early in the game at 44-43 with 7:21 remaining on Tres Tinkle’s three-point play, culminating an 18-4 run.

UCLA led 27-24 at the break and held Tinkle without a basket. Oregon State connected on just 31.6 percent of its shots in the first half and was outrebounded 18-10.

Tinkle scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the second half.

Big picture

UCLA: The Bruins improved to 2-1 in Pac-12 road games. . Chris Smith entered Thursday’s game as the only Bruins player averaging in double figures, but three Bruins were in double figures against the Beavers.

Oregon State: Coach Wayne Tinkle changed his starting lineup for the first time this season, going with guard Sean Miller-Moore in place of forward Alfred Hollins. . Tres Tinkle extended his double-figure scoring streak to 84 games, second in school history behind Mel Counts’ mark of 89.