From Wire and staff reports

FREEPORT, Bahamas - Oregon State battled No. 2 North Carolina to the final seconds on Saturday night before losing 82-78 at the Junkanoo Jam Tournament.

“I’m very proud of the way our team played tonight,” said OSU coach LaVonda Wagner, whose team defeated Arkansas 69-56 on Friday night in its first game. “We played as a team, we played with confidence and we fought hard.

“We were behind on rebounding and that was key in this game, but we should be very proud with our effort. We played well and had a very good North Carolina team on the ropes.”

The Beavers (3-1) were within 80-78 with six seconds remaining on a jumper by Brittany Kennedy. But they were forced to foul and two free throws made it a four-point final margin for North Carolina (8-0).

Brittney Davis led OSU with 22 points. She finished with 38 for the tournament and was named to the all-tourney team. She also had six assists.

Talisa Rhea added 18 points - 15 in the second half - and four assists. Mercedes Fox-Griffin scored 14 points.

North Carolina led 65-55 with 10:42 remaining but the Beavers fought back by holding the Tar Heels scoreless from the 6:25 mark until 1:47 remained and were within 76-72, 77-75 and 78-77 after a Davis basket. But the Tar Heels managed a jumper and two free throws from that point on while the Beavers were held to Kennedy’s jumper with six seconds remaining.

Iman McFarland scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Rashanda McCants added 15 points and Cetera DeGraffenreid had 14 for North Carolina. Coach Sylvia Hatchell earned her 791st victory and moving her closer to becoming the fourth Division I coach with 800 victories.