Tana Stickney led the Mountaineers with 15 points tonight.
LA GRANDE, Ore.- The Mountaineers (14-6, 9-4 CCC) got off to a slow first- half start, but used the second half to pick up the intensity to get a big win over the Owls of Oregon Institute of Technology (12-10, 5-8 CCC).
The Mountaineers took their biggest lead of the first half at the ten minute mark 19-14 against the Owls. The Owls didn't back down and took the lead with five minutes left in the first the first half. The Mountie managed to pull through and take the lead by four going into intermission. At half the Owls were out-rebounding the Mounties 16-12.
The second half the post players stepped it up for EOU. Tana Stickney came out to hit a quick five points; however the Owls answered right back. The second half turned into a three-point contest between the two teams. Half-way through the second half Alyssa Garro came off the bench knocked down a big shot from behind to arc to tie the game at 45-45. Brianna Smith also sparked the Mounties by knocking down a quick five points; EOU led 50-47.
With five minutes left in the contest, Eastern led by nine. EOU continued to take care of the ball and get crucial stops on defense to clinch the win, 70-57.
EOU out-rebounded OIT 31-29 and shot 58 percent from behind the arc. The Mountaineers had three players in double figures; leading the Mounties was Tana Stickney with 15 points, Ashlee Michelson was close behind with 14 points and 9 boards, and Brianna Smith chipped in 10 points.
The Mountaineers will face No. 25 Ranked Southern Oregon University (18-4, 10-3CCC) tomorrow night at 5:30p.m. MST here in Quinn Coliseum.