Like father, like son.
Gary Payton II joined his father as the only other player in Oregon State history to have a triple-double as the Beavers cruised past Grambling State 71-43 on Monday.
The junior college transfer had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and career highs with 10 assists and six steals.
Payton’s dad, Gary Payton, was an All-American for the Beavers who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
On Nov. 26, 1988, the elder Payton recorded Oregon State’s only other triple-double game when he had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a win against Portland.
“It means a lot to me. . We can laugh about it,” Gary Payton II said.
He said a coach told him he was two assists shy of the triple-double with about five minutes remaining. “I really wasn’t keying on it. I was just in there running offense,” he added.
Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle said it was a special situation, so he felt comfortable putting Payton back in the game late despite the Beavers having a huge lead.
“I thought that was something father and son can share that will live in Oregon State history. I thought it was too big to not give it an opportunity,” he added.
Victor Robbins scored a career-high 22 and Malcolm Duvivier added 16 points for Oregon State (7-2).
Mark Gray had 14 points and Richard Freeman had 10 for the Tigers (2-6).
The game got out of hand quickly, as Oregon State started with a 15-2 run capped by an Olaf Shaftenaar 3-pointer at the 14:22 mark.
The Beavers led 41-9 at the break thanks in large part to a defense that forced 18 turnovers and 2-of-12 shooting from the Tigers in the first half.
“They were almost all unforced (turnovers). I thought we got rattled out there,” said Grambling State coach Shawn Walker.
Oregon State stretched the lead to as many as 44 points in the second half.
The Tigers ended the game shooting 28.1 percent compared to 48.9 percent for the Beavers.
Payton came into the contest leading the Beavers in points (13.9 per game), rebounds (9.4) and steals (2.1). A’Torri Shine entered Monday as the only Tiger averaging double digits in scoring, with 14.1 points. The Beavers held him scoreless.
Walker said he was proud his team doesn’t quit and plays with character.
“In a year or so, I don’t think people will want to play us,” he added.
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TIP-INS
Grambling State: The Tigers came into the game shooting 35.6 percent from the floor while allowing opponents to shoot 48 percent.
Oregon State: The Beavers entered Monday sitting eighth in the nation in field goal defense, limiting opponents to 34.7 percent shooting.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Tigers have won their two home games at Grambling, Louisiana this season, but lost every game on the road. The Beavers also have won all six of their home games this year. Oregon State, however, has played only one true road game.
UP NEXT
Grambling State plays Wednesday at Washington.
Oregon State hosts DePaul on Thursday.