REDDING, Calif. - Mountaineer Women's Basketball tipped off the 2021-22 season in emphatic style Friday evening with an 88-70 win over University of California, Merced at the Simpson Classic. With the win, Eastern Oregon starts the year 1-0.
How it Happened
• Guiding the Mountaineers to the season opening win was a solid shooting performance as they went 57.6% from the floor (34-59) and nailed 10 three points on 23 attempts for a 43.5 shooting percentage.
• Defensively, Eastern held UC Merced (0-1) to a 38.9 shooting percentage and limited their three-point shots to just 23.1% on 6-26 shooting. Both teams had 10 turnovers, but the rebounding edge went to EOU 41-33.
• It was a fast start that paced EOU to its win as they grabbed an 11-4 lead by the midway point of the first. Pacing the Mountaineers in the opening quarter was
Taylor Stricklin and
Sailor Liefke with seven points, respectively.
• Going into the second EOU established a 24-11 lead and never let the Bobcats get within single digits the rest of the game. The Mountaineers stayed in front by 13-15 points of the second frame and ultimately outscored the Bobcats 18-9.
• In the first half's final seconds, a jumper by
Sydney Zeiler made it a 22 point lead for EOU following a pair of made free throws from Liefke. Zeiler chipped in five points in the second quarter as did
Adyson Harris to help put Eastern up by 22.
• Early on in the third quarter, EOU grabbed its largest lead of the evening at 29 points, 49-20, after a made shot from
Brandy Smith. Making a splash in the third quarter was
Haley Robinett who scored eight points.
• Robinett's third quarter surge was the only help EOU had as Liefke added six points in the quarter. UC Merced looked to respond and get with 10 points but each time the Mountaineers had an answer and led 68-50 after three.
• The fourth quarter saw both teams score 20 points. EOU's strong first half and consistent scoring was too much for the Bobcats as they ultimately succumbed to the 88-70 loss. Stricklin paced the offense in the final frame with five points.
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
•
Sailor Liefke led the way with a double-double. She scored a game-high 17 points to go along with a game best 11 boards. She also went 4-4 from the free throw line.
•
Taylor Stricklin also scored 17 points on 7-12 shooting and was 3-7 from deep.
•
Haley Robinett added 14 points in the win and was 6-7 from the floor. She also grabbed five rebounds.
•
Adyson Harris rounded out the double figure scoring chipping in 11 points on 5-8 shooting.
For the Bobcats
• Haylee Owen tied the game-high in points with 17. She went 7-19 from the floor but was just 1-9 from deep.
• Mikayla Mabie added 14 points in the loss on 50% shooting (5-10). She finished 4-5 at the charity stripe.
• Julianna Fletes also added 14 points. She was 6-10 in 11 minutes of play and grabbed a game best 11 rebounds for a double-double.
• Rainah Smith chipped in 11 points to round out the double-digit scorers. She shot 5-11 and had six boards.
By the Numbers
1 -
Sailor Liefke's double-double is the first of her career as a Mountaineer.
3 - Dating back to last season, EOU has now shot over 50% in each of its last three games.
11 - The Mountaineers had 11 different players appear in the season opener.
8 - Since the 2010-11 season, Eastern is now 8-4 in season openers.
Up Next
• Eastern Oregon will face the host team of the tournament in Simpson University tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 23. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT.
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