KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Corban University women's basketball team outplayed a shorthanded Oregon Tech squad in 30 minutes of the two teams' Friday evening matchup. Unfortunately for the Navy and Gold, a costly second quarter proved to be too much to overcome, as the Owls withstood a Warrior comeback bid and held on for a 79-73 victory.
"We outscored OIT in three of the four quarters, but dug too deep a hole in the second quarter," said head coach Bill Pilgeram.
It was a unique contest, as Oregon Tech was forced to play with the same five players for all of Friday evening's game, as COVID protocols sidelined eight members of the team.
The Navy and Gold boasted a narrow lead after 10 minutes of play, but the Lady Owls vaulted in front by outscoring the Warriors 20-7 in the second quarter. Holding onto an 11-point lead at the half, Corban cut into that deficit in each of the final two stanzas, but the thin-stretched OIT lineup was able to endure and outlast the Warriors for its first Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) win of the season.
Kennedy Tull's career-high 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting spearheaded the resilient effort for the hometown team. Olivia Sprague added 18 points and eight boards, Carissa Twitchell registered a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds), and Kristin Farrell ended the night with 14 points and seven boards of her own.
"We are praying for both teams' health and safety moving forward from this weekend," Pilgeram added, speaking on the unorthodox situation.
For the Warriors, Holly Golenor turned in her fifth double-double of the season in the defeat, ending the night with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and a pair of blocks.
Gracie McCoy registered a new season-high with 14 points, while also dishing out four assists, and Alyssa Wyllie (12 points), Keila Tsutsui (11 points, four rebounds), and Madison Hodnett all established new career-highs in scoring on Friday evening.
Corban (1-10, 0-4 CCC) will have an opportunity to bounce back tomorrow, facing off against (RV) Southern Oregon University at 3 p.m. in Ashland, Ore.
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