CORVALLIS -- Roberto Nelson was the most excited person in Gill Coliseum when freshman Julian Powers hit a layup in the waning minutes of Oregon State's 102-83 season-opening victory over Niagara on Friday night.

So it was no surprise when the junior guard looked past his own stats to notice that scorekeepers inadvertently gave Powers' two points to fellow freshman Langston Morris-Walker in the official box score.

As his press conference ended, and before the Beavers sports information staffer could even say "correction," Nelson playfully chimed in.

"I saw that, too," he grinned. "I was getting ready to say something."

Nelson, who led Oregon State with 22 points and three steals, perhaps should've been credited with one more assist.

"That's just how we are as a team," said Nelson. "Everyone's pulling for everybody."

Coach Craig Robinson said that feeling is supported by raw numbers, namely his Beavers' 20 assists on their 38 baskets. That ratio, he says, shows Oregon State is a team that cares less about their own buckets, and more about one another.

"None of the guys care who scores," Robinson said. "They're just trying to make plays for each other."

Six Beavers finished in double figures against Niagara's quirky match-up zone, including 18 points apiece from junior Ahmad Starks and senior Angus Brandt. Eric Moreland also shined in the opening game of the 2K Sports Classic, scoring 14points and grabbing 13boards.

"I didn't want to force anything," said Moreland, who certainly didn't -- the 6-foot-10 sophomore finished 7 of 7 from the field and had five blocks.

Junior Devon Collier had 14 points and seven rebounds, while senior Joe Burton added 10points and six rebounds for the Beavers, who led the entire game despite an early long-distance-shooting display from Niagara.

The Purple Eagles of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) scored their first 18 points off three-point baskets and kept themselves in the game early by shooting 9 of 16 from beyond the arch in the first half.

"We weren't closing out on them fast enough," admitted Starks. "We were getting easy buckets and we were scoring, so I guess we took it a little light."

-- Brian Gjurgevich/Special to The Oregonian