Former Barlow High School star Kennedie Shuler nearly put her name in the Oregon State record books on Sunday.

The Beavers (5-1) pulled away from Long Beach State, 71-55, at Gill Coliseum thanks to Shuler’s career-high 14 assists. She also added eight points and four steals.

Shuler’s assist number is tied for fourth in a single game in OSU history, and is the most by a Beavers player since 2007. The OSU record is 15, achieved by Boky Vidic twice in the 1990s and tied by Mercedes-Fox Griffin in 2007.

The Beavers overcame poor free throw shooting (20 of 32, 62%), untimely turnovers, and surrendering 15 offensive rebounds to defeat the scrappy Beach (0-6).

Tiara Bolden and Jenna Villa added 14 points apiece for OSU.

The Beavers got out to a hot start, but the game soon flipped on its head. The Beavers led 14-2 before the Beach rattled off a 14-2 run of their own (with mostly OSU substitutes in the game) to tie things up at 16 after one.

OSU committed four turnovers and allowed five offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone, allowing LBSU to stay in the game despite its poor shooting.

Shuler owned the first half with her playmaking, dishing out eight assists to go along with five points. But the Beavers’ shooting percentage dipped and the Beach took advantage of more timely offensive rebounds and forced turnovers.

At the half, the Beavers trailed, 33-31, shooting just 3 of 15 (20%) from three.

JaQuoia Jones-Brown (16 points) kept up her stellar play for Long Beach State in the second half, setting the pace and scoring at all three levels.

OSU, meanwhile, missed open shots and strained offensively. Villa — fresh off a career-high 22 points against Colorado State — missed her first six threes as OSU trailed, 39-36, midway through the third.

Bolden soon took control and helped OSU retake the lead, 40-39. The Beavers turned up the pace on offense and played through Bolden in an attempt to get things back in rhythm.

But offensive rebounds for LBSU kept the game close, and led to 13 more shots through three quarters for the Beach, who led 48-47 heading into the fourth.

Ally Schimel nailed a three to begin the fourth quarter for OSU, giving the Beavers a lead and some momentum. Baskets by Villa and Lara Alonso-Basurto made it 54-48 Beavers.

A scoop layup by Shuler extended the lead to 58-48 with under six minutes remaining. From there, she kept finding her teammates and perhaps chasing the school record as the game grew further and further out of reach.

OSU out-scored LBSU, 24-7, in the fourth quarter to slam the door shut on a potential upset.

Next game: Oregon State (5-1) vs. No. 17 Vanderbilt (6-0)

When: Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving)Time: 5:00 p.m. PTWhere: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Paradise Jam tournament)Stream: ESPN+

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.