Burton leads Beavers over Bobcats

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Joe Burton scored a career-high 21 points and Oregon State pulled away from Montana State in the second half Sunday for a 78-65 win.

Ahmad Starks added 14 points and nine rebounds for Oregon State (4-1), which also got 11 points and 10 rebounds from Eric Moreland.

Antonio Biglow scored 14 points and Flavien Davis had 12 points and nine rebounds for Montana State (1-3).

The Bobcats came within 58-51 with 11:13 remaining after Xavier Blount made a pair of free throws. The Beavers' Olaf Schaftenaar answered with a 3-pointer to restore the double-digit lead.

Montana State came no closer than eight points after that. Oregon State went on to lead by as many as 18 points.

The Bobcats took a 6-0 lead and stayed ahead until Nelson's dunk put the Beavers ahead 17-16. Burton added a steal and basket to cap Oregon State's 9-0 run.

Oregon State took the lead for good at 25-24 on Moreland's free throw. The Beavers ended the half on an 11-2 run — including six points by Burton — to lead 45-31.

Burton was just two points short of his previous career high with 16 at halftime.

Oregon State was playing its first game without center Angus Brandt, who went down with a season-ending right knee injury in the Beavers' 66-58 win against Purdue on Nov. 16 in New York.

Brandt, a senior, averaged 11.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in Oregon State's first four games.