CORVALLIS, Ore. — Facing a bigger, more offensively skilled Oregon State squad, Washington found itself getting pushed around in a 60-55 loss to open the inaugural Pac-12 season.

Oregon State (10-2, 1-0 Pac-12) entered as a conference mystery with its six new faces and five transfers. But the Beavers made a quick introduction, 6-foot-4 post Patricia Bright blocking UW shots and 6-7 Brazilian Thais Pinto screening vision inside.

At one point, the duo even knocked Washington center Regina Rogers on her backside on the Gill Coliseum court — a rarity for the 6-4 senior.

"And I hope it's going to be the last time," said Rogers.

Washington (8-3, 0-1 Pac-12) figured out a lineup to drag itself back in the game, down 56-50 with 1:53 remaining in the second half behind play from Rogers and post Mackenzie Argens. Sophomore guard Mercedes Wetmore nailed a three-pointer at the top of the arc with 38 seconds left and forced an OSU turnover to make the deficit 58-55.

But Washington freshman Jazmine Davis committed a turnover while inbounding the ball. Wetmore intentionally fouled OSU senior Sage Indendi with 24.2 seconds left, and she made the ensuing free throws to retain the Beavers' hold on the game.

It's Washington's second straight loss to Oregon State, and the second straight season the Huskies have given the Beavers their first conference win of the year. Last year, it was a 51-46 UW loss at Edmundson Pavilion.

"You don't see post players like Regina Rogers that often; we certainly didn't in the preseason," said second-year OSU coach Scott Rueck, whose team outrebounded the Huskies 44-40 despite Argens (14) and Rogers (11) grabbing double figures.

"Our posts were basically baptized (Thursday) by their players because Argens is a great player as well," Rueck continued. "The beginning of the game was them dominating in positioning and physicality, and I love how our posts rose to the challenge."

With Bright and Pinto helping to cause turnovers and grab rebounds, Oregon State used a 20-2 run late in the half to help buoy a 34-27 lead at halftime. Ali Gibson ignited the run with her three-point shooting, leading OSU with 10 points early.

Rogers found a way to establish herself after the break. But Washington couldn't stretch the defense with any perimeter shooter. Davis was 1 for 9 from three-point range, and UW's bench had just two points.

Rogers led the Huskies with 19 points, and Argens had 14.

"Oregon State made some adjustments, really crowded them (Regina and Mackenzie) inside," UW coach Kevin McGuff said. "We just got really sloppy with the ball. Our turnovers (15) were leading to baskets on the other end, and ultimately that's the difference. We didn't get the balance that we need."

The conference loss is a recent first for McGuff and assistant Mike Neighbors. The pair was part of Xavier's undefeated runs in the Atlantic-10 the past two seasons.

"It's disappointing because I thought our physical effort was good, but mentally we weren't very sharp," McGuff said.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @JaydaEvans

WASHINGTON (8-3, 0-1 Pac-12)
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
Barlow	31	3-6	0-0	0-3	0	3	6
Argens	32	7-14	0-0	5-14	0	3	14
Rogers	33	8-18	3-8	8-11	3	3	19
Wetmore	34	2-4	0-0	1-4	4	3	6
Davis	39	3-15	1-2	0-4	2	1	8
M-Smith	10	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0
A.Williams	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0
M.Williams	9	0-4	0-0	0-1	0	1	0
Heard	7	1-1	0-0	0-1	0	1	2
	200	24-63	4-10	15-40	10	15	55

Percentages: FG .381, FT .400. Three-point goals: 3-14 (Wetmore 2-4, Davis 1-9, McCann-Smith 0-1). Team rebounds: 2. Blocked shots: 2 (Rogers, Wetmore). Turnovers: 15 (Argens 3, Rogers 2, Wetmore 2, Davis 6, McCann-Smith, Heard). Steals: 8 (Barlow, Argens, Rogers 2, Davis 2, McCann-Smith, Williams).

OREGON STATE (10-2, 1-0)
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
Marchbanks	34	1-6	6-6	5-11	3	1	8
Bright	27	4-8	1-3	0-3	0	4	9
Gibson	33	6-11	0-0	1-4	2	1	14
Indendi	35	4-11	2-2	0-5	2	0	13
Martin	30	3-12	0-0	0-3	4	0	8
Bostick	22	1-4	2-4	3-6	4	0	4
Pinto	13	2-4	0-0	3-4	0	1	4
E-Teasley	6	0-1	0-0	0-1	0	1	0
	200	21-57	11-15	15-44	15	8	60

Percentages: FG .368, FT .733. Three-point goals: 7-25 (Marchbanks 0-3, Gibson 2-7, Indendi 3-8, Martin 2-6, Edwards-Teasley 0-1). Team rebounds: 7. Blocked shots: 5 (Bright 3, Pinto 2). Turnovers: 16 (Marchbanks 3, Bright, Gibson, Indendi 3, Martin 3, Bostick 3, Pinto 2). Steals: 10 (Marchbanks 6, Gibson, Indendi, Martin, Bostick).

Washington	27	28	—	55
Oregon State	34	26	—	60

A — 1,332. Officials: Melissa Barlow, Shelley Nakasone, Alejandro Moreno.