CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2023-24 Cascade Collegiate Conference Women’s Basketball season gets into full action this week.
All 12 teams will battle for the regular-season championship and the CCC’s first automatic qualifier (AQ) to the NAIA National Tournament. The second AQ will be awarded to the winner of the CCC Women’s Basketball Tournament, presented by U.S. Bank., starting on Feb. 27.
Eastern Oregon University was chosen to defend its crown in the
CCC Preseason Poll. Last year, they were named the CCC co-regular season champions and earned the tournament title. They are currently ranked No. 18 in the latest
NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Eastern Oregon completed its non-conference slate with an undefeated 4-0 record, including a 80-78 win against (RV) Montana Western. The team currently holds the largest rebound margin (+14.5) in the league and second scoring margin (+12.5). The Mounties head down to face Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon University this weekend for a long awaited conference opener. Last season, they defeated both teams all four times.
Lewis-Clark State College was chosen as the second team in the CCC preseason poll after being named the 2022-23 co-regular season champions. LC State has a 4-1 record and is currently ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. They recorded a 78-72 victory over No. 17 University of Providence and only dropped one tight game to No. 5 Carroll College (91-79). The team currently leads the conference in field goal percentage (.468) and is second in scoring (75.2 Avg/G). The Warriors will host Northwest University tonight and The Evergreen State College tomorrow to start off conference play. Last season, they defeated both teams all four times.
Southern Oregon University has a 3-1 record prior to the tip off of the CCC season. They were picked third in the CCC preseason poll and are currently ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Southern Oregon had a difficult pre conference schedule, resulting in a big 68-48 win over No. 17 University of Providence and only dropped one close game to No. 5 Carroll College (60-56). The team currently has allowed opponents the least points (52.0 Avg/G) and leads the conference in steals (11.8 Avg/G) and blocked shots (6.8 Avg/G). The Raiders are set for much anticipated matchups this weekend against College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon University.
Oregon Tech also enters conference play with an impressive 5-0 undefeated record. They started their season with a 83-56 victory over George Fox University, proving they are prepared to be a strong contender. The team currently leads the conference in scoring (78.8 Avg/G) and assists (19 Avg/G) while having the leading scorer, Olivia Sprague who has already recorded 103 points this season. The Owls will begin their regular season this weekend battling Eastern Oregon University and College of Idaho.
Warner Pacific University is holding onto its top spot in the conference with a 2-1 record and a 72-60 defeat over Multnomah last Tuesday in the first official CCC women’s basketball game of the 2023-24 season. Warner Pacific also defeated NCAA Dlll Pacific Lutheran University (52-43). The team is currently ranked third in the CCC in offensive rebounds (14.3 Avg/G). The Knights continue its conference season this weekend, hosting Bushnell University and Corban University.
Multnomah fell to Warner Pacific University in the first conference game of the season by a score of 72-60. Multnomah holds an even 2-2 record and recorded big wins against NCAA Dlll opponents, including Linfield University (86-77) and Covenant College (92-47). The team is currently leading the CCC in free throws (.821) and is second in 3-points made with 28 total. The Lions continue its conference season this weekend, hosting Corban University and Bushnell University.
Bushnell University heads into CCC action with a 4-2 record. Bushnell put up a 73-62 win over NCAA Dlll Willamette University and its losses came from tough battles against highly competitive opponents, including (RV) Montana Western (58-53). The team is currently leading the league in three-point shooting, hitting .330 from deep. The Beacons tip off their conference season in Portland, Ore., facing Warner Pacific University and Multnomah.
Walla Walla University is managing a 3-2 record, already halfway to its total wins of last year. Walla Walla’s competitive schedule included several strong NCAA Dlll opponents including a win over Willamette University (62-56). The Wolves will tip off the CCC season, hosting The Evergreen State College tonight and Northwest University tomorrow.
Corban University started the season with a 1-4 record. They defeated NCAA Dlll Willamette University (64-57). With a tough opening schedule, they fell to highly ranked competition including No. 12 Rocky Mountain College (84-67) and No. 17 University of Providence (66-57). The Warriors will play their first conference games of the season this weekend against Multnomah and Warner Pacific University.
College of Idaho completed its non-conference slate with a 0-6 record. C of I competed against highly ranked opponents including No. 5 Carroll College (64-56) and No. 12 Rocky Mountain College (74-56). The Yotes head down to look for its first win against Southern Oregon University and Oregon Tech to open their conference season this weekend.
Northwest University is also searching for its first win with a 0-4 record. Northwest started the season against loaded teams including No. 12 Rocky Mountain College (78-64) and No. 17 University of Providence (81-52). The Eagles hit the road to begin the CCC season against Lewis-Clark State College tonight and Walla Walla University tomorrow.
The Evergreen State College has yet to win a game, holding a 0-2 record heading into the CCC season. Both of Evergreen’s games were against strong NCAA opponents. The Geoducks hit the road to tip off conference action against Walla Walla University tonight and Lewis-Clark State College tomorrow.
In the latest episode of
Cascade Connects, Commissioner Rob Cashell talks with the No. 1 CCC Women’s Basketball preseason favorite, Eastern Oregon University’s Athletic Director and head coach Anji Weissenfluh along with star student-athlete Haley Robinett. Hear what the Mounties have to say about their previous success and the future of CCC Basketball.
Find the full episode on:
CCC Website l
YouTube l
Apple l
Spotify
CCC Game of the Week: Vote for which matchup you are most excited for on Twitter.