via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – In a match-up of Top-25 teams, Corban University used an 18-3 run over a six-minute stretch of the fourth quarter, helping the Warriors outlast Oregon Tech, 80-64, at Danny Miles Court.
The No. 18-ranked Warriors (10-2, 3-1 CCC) ended a 2-game losing streak in handing OIT their first home loss of the season.
A see-saw affair throughout, Tech (7-5, 3-1) battled back to take a 57-54 into the final period, but converted just 3-of-16 field goals over the last 10 minutes.
Corban capitalized, breaking a 59-59 tie with back-to-back 3’s from Tori Younker, followed by three free throws after being fouled outside the arc. The No. 20-ranked Lady Owls got a Jozie Ramos 3-point play to cut the margin to 68-62, but Jersey Huerta followed with a triple and consecutive driving buckets – as the lead ballooned to 77-62.
After a tight first quarter, OIT used a 17-2 second quarter run to erase a 26-22 Corban lead. The Lady Owls were 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the run, getting three inside baskets from Tatum Schmerbach and an Olivia Sprague 3-pointer – helping the hosts take their largest lead of the night at 39-28.
OIT led 40-33 at the half, but Jenna Albrecht scored the first eight points of the third quarter to give the visitors the lead. Avery Andrews answered for the Owls late in the period with a 3-point play to put the home side ahead at 55-53 – setting up the fourth quarter.
Ramos led the Lady Owls with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Schmerbach had 12 points and 12 rebounds, Sprague scored 12 and Andrew had nine in the loss – as Tech had a 4-game win streak snapped.
Albrecht had a season-high 22 points, Younker scored 20 and Huerta 17 – as the Warriors outscored OIT, 36-6, from 3-point range.
Tech returns to action on Jan. 2, traveling to Washington for a midday match-up at Walla Walla.