Oregon State secured a thrilling 70-65 victory over Notre Dame in the women's NCAA Tournament Albany 1 Regional semifinal at MVP Arena, earning their first Elite Eight appearance since 2018. Despite facing intense pressure from the Fighting Irish, the Beavers demonstrated resilience, finishing strong in a game plagued by turnovers.

The Beavers' stellar performance was highlighted by Timea Gardiner and Raegan Beers, who both recorded double-doubles. Gardiner's exceptional contribution of 21 points and 11 rebounds, combined with Beers' 18 points and 13 boards, proved instrumental in securing the historic win. Moreover, Oregon State showcased their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Notre Dame 42-24.

Oregon State's victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time in school history that they defeated Notre Dame. The Beavers' strong shooting displayed their offensive prowess, as they converted an impressive 60% of their attempts throughout the game.

With this victory, Oregon State advances to the much-anticipated Elite Eight encounter on Sunday. The Beavers will face the winner of the South Carolina-Indiana matchup, competing for the regional championship. The game time will be determined on Friday night.

Although the Beavers experienced a season-high 26 turnovers, which led to 27 points for Notre Dame, they managed to stay composed and control the game. The gritty effort by the Irish kept the game tight, but Oregon State's determination outshined their mistakes.

Notre Dame's Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld delivered notable performances, with Citron scoring 22 points and Westbeld adding 19 of her own. However, their efforts fell short in the face of the Beavers' tenacity.

This Elite Eight berth marks the third in Oregon State's history, with previous appearances in 2016 and 2018. The Beavers showed their mettle from the beginning, finishing the first half with a slim 32-31 lead, despite Notre Dame capitalizing on their turnovers.

Oregon State came out strong in the third quarter, hitting five of their first six shots and forcing a Notre Dame timeout as they pushed their lead to 43-33. However, the Irish responded fiercely, mounting a defensive comeback and cutting the deficit to three points.

The game remained closely contested throughout the fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging leads. However, the Beavers' resilience shone through as Gardiner and Beers made crucial plays to maintain Oregon State's advantage.

In the final minutes of the game, Oregon State effectively managed the clock, with Gardiner assisting Beers for a crucial layup that secured a 67-63 lead with only 29 seconds remaining. Von Oelhoffen's pivotal defensive play and subsequent free throws sealed the deal, ensuring Oregon State's monumental victory.

This impressive win against Notre Dame has undoubtedly propelled Oregon State's journey in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their potential to make a deep run. The Beavers have established themselves as formidable contenders, ready to take on the challenge of securing a spot in the Final Four.

For more in-depth coverage of Oregon State athletics, including football and basketball, reach out to Nick Daschel at 360-607-4824 or ndaschel@oregonian.com. Your support is critical to sustaining quality journalism, so subscribe today to OregonLive.com.