LEWISTON, Idaho - In a captivating season opener, the Eastern Oregon women's basketball team kicked off the season against Montana Tech on Saturday afternoon. The game unfolded as a seesaw battle over four quarters, culminating in a suspenseful last-second victory with a final score of 55-54.
A slow start for both teams, Montana Tech took a 20-16 lead into halftime. However, Eastern Oregon shook off the rust and exploded for a 22-point third quarter. The defining moment came with just 3 seconds left on the clock when
Brie Holecek of Eastern Oregon made a game-winning lay-up, securing the one point victory. Holecek's clutch bucket was one of three she had on the night, finishing with six points and six rebounds.
Key contributors for Eastern Oregon included
Bayley Brennan with 13 points,
Beverly Slater with a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds), and
Kelsie Siegner with 11 points. On the opposing side, Soda Rice led Montana Tech with 19 points.
The gritty win improves Eastern Oregon's record to 1-0 on the season, setting the tone for what should be an exciting season. The Mountaineers will stay in Lewiston for tomorrow's matchup with Montana Western, set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m.