Oregon State falls to Wisconsin 62-58 in WBIT first round

Tiara Bolden's 23 points not enough as Beavers' season ends at home

Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:19am

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Oregon State's women's basketball season came to a disappointing end with a 62-58 loss to Wisconsin in the first round of the WBIT tournament at Gill Coliseum. Senior Tiara Bolden scored 23 points but the Beavers couldn't hold off the Badgers, who hadn't won a game in nearly two months. Freshman center Dorja Zaja scored a career-high 18 points for Wisconsin, which advances to play at No. 2 seed Miami on Sunday.

Why it matters

Oregon State was hoping to extend its season with a home win in the WBIT tournament, but the loss ends a 23-12 campaign for the Beavers. The defeat also marks the end of the college careers for several key Oregon State players, including Bolden, leaving the program with roster uncertainty as it transitions to the new Pac-12 conference.

The details

Wisconsin won the battle in the paint 32-24 despite being known primarily as a three-point shooting team. The Badgers, who had not won since Jan. 21, were led by Zaja's career-high 18 points. Oregon State got within 57-56 with 2:51 to go but didn't score again until the game was out of reach. The Beavers shot just 32.1% from the field in the first half and had six turnovers that led to seven points for Wisconsin.

  • Oregon State's season came to an end on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • Wisconsin hadn't won a game since January 21, 2026.

The players

Tiara Bolden

A senior from Eugene who scored 23 points in her final game for Oregon State.

Dorja Zaja

A freshman center for Wisconsin who scored a career-high 18 points.

Destiny Howell

A guard for Wisconsin who scored 13 points.

Scott Rueck

The head coach of the Oregon State women's basketball team.

Robin Pingeton

The head coach of the Wisconsin women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Tough loss for sure; you don't want things to end before it has to. I loved the fight. The game separated right before the half, then we came out in the second half and made it a game.”

— Scott Rueck, Oregon State head coach

“We've been resilient all year; we've been battling all year. This is a program that's trying to create a different culture in Wisconsin and trying to have a different narrative of what Wisconsin basketball will continue to be.”

— Destiny Howell, Wisconsin guard

“In the first quarter we gave her space, and I'm like, 'guys, we've been watching her all week. Why are we off of her? She is so talented'”

— Scott Rueck, Oregon State head coach

“I let the game come to me. In the first half I feel like I was a little shaken and the pressure I put on myself. After experiencing that and being able to take a deep breath and reset and show out. That's what I did.”

— Tiara Bolden

“Coach Scott talks about defensive execution and I totally take fault for that. There's some things we all could have done better as a team, especially for myself. However, that was a tough shot. I believe that I was there and I contested it well enough.”

— Tiara Bolden

What’s next

Wisconsin will play at No. 2 seed Miami on Sunday in the next round of the WBIT tournament.

The takeaway

Oregon State's loss to Wisconsin, a team that hadn't won in nearly two months, ends the Beavers' season and the college careers of several key players. The defeat highlights the roster uncertainty facing Oregon State as it transitions to the new Pac-12 conference, with a need to address its lack of size inside.