DALLAS -- Oregon State will be part of the first-timers party at the Women's Final Four, after the Beavers upset top-seeded Baylor 60-57 on Monday.
The second-seeded Beavers join Washington, the Lexington Regional winner, and Sioux Falls champ Syracuse as programs that have reached the Final Four for the first time. In an entertaining game at American Airlines Center, the Pac-12 tournament champion Beavers were able to keep the pace in their favor. They are the second Pac-12 team to make it to Indianapolis. Washington advanced to the national semifinals on Sunday.
Midway through the third quarter Monday, Oregon State led 42-35, but Baylor cut it to 42-41 with 3:17 left after six consecutive points from Khadijiah Cave. The Beavers' Ruth Hamblin then scored inside, but Alexis Jones answered that with a reverse layup.
Hamblin picked up her fourth personal foul with 35.5 seconds left in the third quarter after fouling Kalani Brown on a layup. Oregon State led 48-47 after three quarters.
Baylor took a 51-50 lead on Nina Davis' layup with 6:30 left in the game, but Jamie Weisner tied it with a free throw. It stayed tight the rest of the way, but the Beavers prevailed. The seniors, who won just 10 games their freshman season, are now going to the Final Four. Weisner, who had 16 points and eight rebounds, was named the region's most outstanding player.
Meanwhile, Baylor lost in the Elite Eight for the third year in a row.
How the game was won: Oregon State's defense held Baylor to just 39.7 percent from the field, which limited Davis -- who scored 30 in her previous two games -- to just 11 points. The Beavers' defense in the half court was particularly good -- enough so to offset their 19 turnovers, which led to 24 Baylor points.
Player of the game: It was a great team effort by Oregon State, but kudos go especially to Sydney Wiese, who finished with 18 points and six assists and played all 40 minutes.
Turning point: With the score tied at 57 and Baylor in possession, the Lady Bears tried to force a pass into the post, and it went for a turnover. Wiese was then fouled, went to the line and made one of two for a 58-57 lead. Alexis Jones got a good look at a shot on the baseline, but the ball spun out. Oregon State got the rebound, and Wiese was fouled again and made both shots this time. Niya Johnson then missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
X factor: Gabriella Hanson "quietly" had 10 points for the Beavers, and in a game such as this one, every point mattered. She also played all 40 minutes.
Stat of the game: Oregon State made seven of 18 from behind the arc. Baylor made just one of four.
What's next: Oregon State (32-4) will face 10-time NCAA champion UConn in the national semifinals on April 3 in Indianapolis. Baylor's season ends at 36-2.
For the first time since 1994, three teams will make their Final Four debut in the same season.