Beavers start 5 walk-ons vs. Ducks

Oregon Statecoach Wayne Tinkle started five walk-ons Wednesday night in the final home game of the season, which the Beavers lost 65-62 to in-state rival Oregon.

Tinkle, in his first season as head coach of the Beavers, does not have any seniors on the team.

He started four players who made the team in an open tryout Oct. 4 and one who was a practice player last season under former coach Craig Robinson.

"Some people might call me crazy and maybe I am," Tinkle said, "but it was something our guys deserved."

He started 6-foot-10 junior Justin Stangel, 6-foot guardAJ Hedgecockand three freshmen: 6-6 forward Matt Dahlen, 6-4 guard Tanner Sanders and 6-3 guard Dylan Livesay.

Those players might not be on the team next season due to a strong recruiting class.

"I was thinking about having no seniors to celebrate what would normally be "Senior Night" and I wanted to honor something for this team," Tinkle told ESPN.com in a text message. "It hit me right away: Honor the walk-ons from Oregon that have been such a big part of our season.

"Knowing what I now know, I'd do it all again. One of my proudest moments as a coach!"

Oregon State pulled to within one with 34 seconds left after a Malcolm Duvivier layup, but Oregon made six free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win. The Beavers committed two costly turnovers in the final 1:30.

The Beavers (17-13 overall, 8-10 Pac-12) needed a win to go .500 in conference play for the second time in 25 years. They have lost six of seven.

The Beavers and Ducks play next week in the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.