Oregon Tech's Mariah Karther-Miller finished 2-for-5 from long range. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Cold Shooting Dooms Oregon Tech
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Oregon Tech women's basketball team connected on just 14.7% from the floor over the first period as the host Owls fell to rival Southern Oregon University in Cascade Conference play tonight at Danny Miles Court 62-48.
The loss drops Oregon Tech to 10-11 overall and 2-7 in CCC play, while Southern moves to 13-8 on the season and 6-3 in the conference standings.
Even with the ice cold shooting effort, the Owls were still in the game as Southern was held to just 23.5% in the first period. Oregon Tech managed just five points over the first 17 minutes of the game, but after knocking in eight points over the next 2:20, would head to the half down by just 10 points, 23-13.
Oregon Tech would keep things close over the next 12 minutes, cutting the deficit to six points on four occasions, the last trailing 45-39 with eight minutes remaining in the game. Back-to-back Brittany Cherry free-throws closed the gap to 45-41, but SOU answered with back-to-back baskets of their own to build the lead back to 49-41 with just under seven minutes to play.
Moments later SOU regained a double-digit lead on two free-throws and never looked back, defeating Oregon Tech by a 62-48 final.
Aundrea Albright was the only Owl to reach double-digits with 10 points and 10 rebounds, for the games only double-double effort. Kassi Conditt finished with nine points and six rebounds, while Brittany Cherry added eight points and 10 boards.
Whitney Scott had a nice all-around effort after finishing with a game-high 17 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Josi McDermott netted 12 in the win for SOU, while Nalani Barnes grabbed 13 boards for a game-high.
Tech finished 22.4% shooting for the game, while SOU forced the Owls into 22 turnovers. Southern was not much better after hitting on 29.4% from the floor, but connected on 21-of-29 free-throws. Tech was 6-of-30 from long range, while Southern finished 1-for-12 from beyond the arch. With plenty of rebounds to go around, SOU held a 56-to-53 edge on the glass