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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State Beavers played their final game of the season in Gill Coliseum on Sunday, defeating the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 69-40 to move beyond the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history since 1983.
What may be considered a final send off for the five seniors of Oregon State, it also set the stage for another chapter of postseason play.
Leading the way for the Beavers (29-4) was guard Jamie Weisner, who finished with a game-high 23 points. Weisner is a part of the big three for the Beavers, along with Sydney Wiese and Ruth Hamblin. Tonight, however, she took control for Oregon State.
"I was really focused before the game and did what my team needed me to do," Weisner said.
Weisner came into this game mired in a slump after scoring only two points in the Beavers' victory over Troy.
The senior received gifts from fans for her final game at Oregon State, and also received praise from St. Bonaventure coach Jim Crowley.
The Bonnie's (24-7) held Weisner to a limited amount of open looks, but still couldn't manage to shut her down.
"We maybe gave her two open layups, other than that we held our own," Crowley said. "She made pro shots. That's just what happens when you compete, when they're better than you, they're better than you. And she was better than us."
Beavers coach Scott Rueck appreciated Weisner's role.
"Jamie commands so much attention and has the ability to stretch the defense and take help-side away," Rueck said.
Weisner went 2 of 5 from the three-point line and shot eight of 15 from the field. She also found success in put-backs and driving straight to the basket.
"Her presence is enormous. It dictates what the defense does," Rueck said.
The Beavers will face DePaul in Dallas, Texas on Mar. 26 in the Sweet 16.