Tech guard Carrie Thibault finished with 11 points as the Owls defeated NCU by a 63-56 final. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Outlasts Northwest Christian
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Northwest Christian University led by five late, but a six point Oregon Tech run would give the lead back to the home team as the Owls hung on to defeat the Beacons in Cascade Conference play tonight at Danny Miles Court by a 63-56 final.
Both defenses proved tough to penetrate as NCU was held to 32.3% from the floor and Oregon Tech just 32.1% shooting. Oregon Tech held a 53-30 advantage on the boards, including 19 on the offensive end. NCU sank 13-of-16 free throws compared to Tech which was 22-for-27, including an 8-for-10 effort late to ice the game for the Owls.
Kassi Conditt gave Oregon Tech their largest lead of the first period, 13-7, on a short jumper with 11:23 remaining in the half and continued to hold the six point edge with just over seven minutes.
NCU, however, closed out the first half scoring on a 10-4 run that sent the teams into intermission tied at 23-23.
After five ties to start period two, NCU took a five point lead on a Katie Collins jumper with 7:33 remaining to play.
Tech battled back with six straight points to take a 47-46 lead, but Collins sank two free throws to give the Beacons a three point advantage.
Still down three, Carrie Thibault hit from long range to tie the contest with 3:00 to play. After losing the lead, Tech’s Morgan Hofman was true on a free throw to give the Owls a 53-52 advantage with just under two minutes on the clock.
Lindsey Shearer drove the lane and scored for NCU, but a Dixon triple for Tech put the Owls up for good.
NCU pulled to within one point with 43 seconds, but a 6-for-6 effort at the charity stripe for the Owls gave the Owls the 63-56 victory.
Aundrea Albright led the Owl offensive attack with 12 points and five rebounds, followed by Carrie Thibault with 11, including a pair of crucial 3-pointers late in the game. Karissa Dixon added her third straight double-double after scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Rebekah Matteri netted eight points off the bench, while Colleen Hunt and Morgan Hofman combined for 14 points, four rebounds and four assists for Tech in the win.
Lindsey Shearer finished with a game-high 16 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Shannon Harte scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Katie Collins recorded 10 points in the loss for NCU.