via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
ASHLAND, Ore. – Tatum Schmerbach flirted with a triple-double, leading four Oregon Tech players in double-figures with 17 points, as the Lady Owls rolled to a season-opening 84-50 over Simpson University at the Raider Classic inside Lithia Motors Pavilion.
The No. 14-ranked Lady Owls (1-0) outscored the California side 34-4 over a 15-minute stretch between the second and third quarters, holding the Redhawks to 32% shooting on the night.
SU (2-1) held a 19-17 lead early in the second quarter, before the Tech defense clamped down – as the Lady Owls scored the final 16 points of the period. Jozie Ramos converted on the block to give the Owls a 20-19 lead, Schmerbach followed with a driving lay-up – starting the monster rally.
The surge continued after the break, as Schmerbach scored back-to-back buckets, Ayla Marsten canned a 3-pointer and Ramos added a pair, extending the lead to 51-23 with four minutes left in the third quarter. The lead would grow to as many as 35 points in the fourth quarter.
Schmerbach had seven rebounds and a team-high nine assists in the win, with Ramos recording 14 points and nine rebounds. Brooke Anderson had 12 points and seven boards, with Marston scoring six in her OIT debut.
Off the bench, Avery Williams had a career-high 11 points and eight rebounds, with Ebony McMillan adding a career-best seven – as all 10 OIT players who saw the floor scored at least two points.
Destiny Nichols led the Redhawks with 20 points.
The Lady Owls close out tournament play tomorrow, facing The Master’s at 4:30 p.m.