Oregon Tech Shocks Southern Oregon
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- The Lady Owls put an end to No. 20 ranked Southern Oregon University’s 11 game win streak, upsetting the Raiders 69-65 at Danny Miles Court. The win puts Tech at 19-8 overall and 11-6 in the CCC, remaining in 4th place in the conference standings. SOU drops to 23-4 overall and 14-3 in conference play, falling to 2nd place behind Eastern Oregon in the CCC.
The Lady Owls held Southern to a 0-11 start from the field to begin the contest, outscoring the Raiders 21-6 in the first twelve minutes of the game. Southern would only make 3 baskets before heading to the locker room down 29-16.
The second half saw the Owls lead dwindle to 11 points at 34-23 with 14:40 remaining, but Tech would once again tie their biggest lead of the game at 15 points with just over 10 minutes on the clock at 40-25 and begin to feel the upset. Southern Oregon would not break and with 9:29 remaining, Oregon Tech point guard Meagan Miyasaka (Jr. Honolulu, HI) would commit her 5th foul, as the Raiders began their 19-4 run and eventually tie the game at 44-44. Southern would convert two free throws, on Tech’s Cora McVey’s (Sr. Dexter, OR) 5th personal foul and take a four point lead at 48-44, regain all the momentum and seem to put an end to any hope of an Owl victory. Tech would then regain a lead on an Amanda Johnston (Jr. Myrtle Point, OR) 3-pointer at 50-49, but Southern would tie the game back up at 50-50 and again at 55-55. Southern held a slim one point advantage at 56-55 with 2:04 left, but Tech would regain the lead for good on a Jenna Ball (Jr. Scappoose, OR) 3-pointer at 58-56. Tech would go up 64-57, as Southern would go dry on their next four possessions, before a Jacki Speer lay-up cut the lead to 64-59 with 22 seconds to go. The Lady Owls converted on five free throws down the stretch, as Tech would go on to upset the Raiders 69-65.
Seniors Jenna Ball and Jenni Miiller (Boise, ID) were strong in the final 10 minutes for the Owls, both finishing with a team high 19 points. Amanda Johnston hit for 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her double-double, while Megan Ross (Fr. Medford, OR) came down with 10 rebounds and handed out five assists.
Southern was led by Chelsey Muri’s 25 points with 17 coming in the second half, while Jacki Speer finished with a double-double adding 15 points and 14 points for SOU.
The Lady Owls will have Friday off and travel to Eugene on Saturday 2/16, playing at Northwest Christian College. The game can be heard live in the Klamath Basin on KLAD 92.5 FM and worldwide at www.oitsports.com starting at 5:25pm with Mike Garrard and Bobby Thompson.