Beavers have two games left to avoid infamy

Oregon State is running out of time.

To avoid the dubious distinction of becoming the first Pac-10 team to post an 0-18 mark in conference play, the Beavers have to beat either Arizona today or Arizona State on Saturday. Both games are at Gill Coliseum.

"We competed with both of these teams, so we feel confident," senior forward Marcel Jones said.

But how confident can the Beavers really be? Their last victory came Dec. 19 against Northern Colorado, a span of 18 games.

OSU was picked to finish last in the conference in the preseason media poll, but no one could have predicted this disaster.

Sixth-year coach Jay John was fired Jan. 20, and junior forward C.J. Giles was dismissed from the team the following day.

Jones and freshman forward Sean Carter served a one-game suspension last month for a violation of team rules. Carter also was suspended for Saturday's game against Oregon, and his status for this week's games is yet to be determined. He is practicing with the team.

Sophomore forward Daniel Deane, a transfer from Utah who was sitting out this season, is currently not with the team because of personal reasons.

Despite all the turmoil, interim coach Kevin Mouton insists that the team has not quit.

"I think people realize that since we made the (coaching) change in the middle of the season even though we haven't won, people understand that we're not gonna roll over," said Mouton, who has an 0-10 record. "I think (teams) are also preparing because they don't want to be the first team to lose to us."

If the Oregon game is indicative, OSU could be competitive this week.

The Beavers trailed by three points Saturday with 3:27 left before fading in an 80-68 loss. They had lost their previous three games by 38, 35, and 28 points.

"I think they're going to play a great game," Arizona interim coach Kevin O'Neill said. "I expect them to play really hard."

Jones, who is coming off a 17-point, 12-rebound effort against Oregon, will be honored before the game. He is the only senior on the roster.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Beavers have lost 10 of 11 games entering the first-round of the Pac-10 tournament Friday against Arizona in San Jose, Calif.

No. 8 seed OSU and No. 9 seed Arizona split two regular season meetings, with each team prevailing on its home floor. Both teams were 4-14 in the Pac-10, but the the Beavers received a higher seed due to a tiebreaker.

The OSU/Arizona winner plays No. 1 seed Stanford on Saturday. The Cardinal are ranked No. 6 in the nation.

Despite a third straight losing record, the Beavers have a solid foundation. Guard Ashley Allen (15.3 ppg) is the only senior on the roster.

BASEBALL

No. 20 OSU (4-3) will be play four games this weekend in the San Diego State tournament, beginning with Friday's matchup against Loyola Marymount (3-6).

Sophomore shortstop Joey Wong from Sprague High School takes a six-game hitting streak into the tournament. He tied a school record with five hits in Tuesday's victory at Portland.

FOOTBALL

Receivers coach Lee Hull has left the program, coach Mike Riley announced Wednesday.

Hull spent five years at OSU, two as running backs coach before switching to receivers coach in 2005.

"I've resigned solely for family reasons, said Hull, who is from New Jersey and has accepted a similar position at an Eastern school. "I have loved every minute at Oregon State."

GYMNASTICS

Sophomore Mandi Rodriguez has been named Pac-10 specialist of the week.

Rodriguez had marks of 9.9 and 9.925 on vault last week, winning event titles against Cal State Fullerton and then-No. 9 UCLA. She has reached the 9.9 plateau on vault in five consecutive meets.

The seventh-ranked Beavers will be at No. 2 Utah on Friday.

Read more at the www.statesmanjournal.com