PORTLAND, Ore. – The No. 13 Eastern Oregon women's basketball team used a 16-point first half lead to hold off Warner Pacific on Saturday night, winning its 15th-straight game 80-72 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.
The Mountaineers (15-2, 9-0 CCC) have nearly reached the halfway point of the conference season with a still unblemished record, only having yet to face Walla Walla. Saturday night was no different for EOU, getting out to a large lead before holding off a WPU comeback attempt.
EOU led 57-37 with three minutes left in the third quarter before the Knights began to comeback. WPU pulled to within as close as seven points with 16 seconds remaining, but would get no closer.
Senior Maya Ah You Dias had a team-high 18 points, adding six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Fellow senior Maren Herrud shot 6-for-9 from the field, posting 17 points in 22 minutes on the floor. Junior Jane Nelson added 13 points while freshman Beverly Slater posted 11 and six rebounds.
The Mountaineers' outside shooting was limited to under 30 percent, but the perimeter defense played well to hold the Knights to 2-for-13 from the outside. EOU also forced 29 WPU turnovers in the game.
The win continued the Mounties' CCC regular season winning streak, now at 39 games after the road sweep. Including CCC tournament matchups, the Blue and Gold have won 45-straight games against conference opponents.
The Mountaineers return home next weekend, hosting Corban on Friday and Northwest Christian on Saturday. EOU defeated both teams earlier this season on the road on Dec. 15 and 16.