No. 7 Eastern Oregon Downs Warrior Women’s Basketball, 77-53

1/19/2018 9:58:00 PM

Danny Day, Director of Athletic Communications

SALEM, Ore. – Thanks to a 33-point first quarter, the No. 7-ranked Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers ran past the Corban University women's basketball team on Friday night, 77-53. The win gives EOU the season sweep of the Warriors.

"Eastern came out firing and hitting everything," said Corban head coach Michelle Skyles. "We weren't getting to our assignments defensively and then couldn't score. We responded better the next three quarters."

EOU shot 66.7% during the first 10 minutes and built up a 33-10 advantage, playing stifling defense as well. In the second quarter, neither team could find an offensive rhythm, resulting in Corban actually outscoring Eastern Oregon in the period, 8-7.

The two teams came out of the locker room clicking, and for Corban it was Maci Bozett that got hot and kept Corban within reach, nailing a number of three-pointers. The Mountaineers (19-2, 12-0 CCC) made timely shots and a total of 13 long-range efforts on the evening, however, leading to the 24-point Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) victory.

"It was awesome to have Maci back and to have such a good shooting night from her," said Skyles. "Other players stepped up and all responded with positive things after some adjustments. Eastern is a well-oiled machine, and we cannot give a great team a big lead early. We have to rebound and come back ready to go against a surging C of I."

For Corban in the defeat, Bozett went 6-for-11 from deep for 18 points, while Kendra Murphy added 10 points, eight boards, and three blocks. As a team, the Navy and Gold shot just 30.2% and recorded 18 turnovers.

Eastern Oregon was led offensively by Payton Parrish with 19 points on a 7-for-12 shooting mark, while Stormee Van Belle notched 18 points. In addition, both Mariah Swanson and Maya Ah You-Dias finished in double-figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively. As a team, the Mountaineers shot 43.3% from the floor and 46.4% from deep.

Corban (9-10, 5-7 CCC) returns to the hardwood tomorrow night when it hosts College of Idaho at 5:30 p.m., while EOU heads south to Eugene for a contest against Northwest Christian University.