College women’s basketball: Eastern Oregon sweeps weekend road trip

Published 11:00 am Sunday, February 18, 2024

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team stretched its winning streak to four games after a productive weekend in Washington.

The Mountaineers defeated Northwest and Evergreen State in back-to-back outings. The wins improved Eastern Oregon’s record to 18-6 on the year and 14-6 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Eastern Oregon 76, Northwest 58

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Eastern Oregon opened its game against Northwest with a fast start and huge second quarter that all but put the game out of reach.

The Mountaineers took an 18-10 lead after the first quarter, behind a prolific opening from Bayley Brennan. She scored 15 out of the team’s 18 points. Eastern Oregon took a 17-13 advantage in the second quarter, behind seven more points from Brennan, to take a 35-23 lead at halftime.

Eastern Oregon kept up the intensity in the second half, holding a huge 24-15 advantage in the third quarter behind seven points from Brie Holecek. The Mountaineers extended their lead to 28 points early in the fourth quarter, before pumping the brakes on a sure victory.

Brennan finished with a game-high 30 points, while Holecek added 18. Beverly Slater dominated the boards, grabbing 16 rebounds — she also tallied six points and seven assists.

Eastern Oregon finished the day 29-65 (44.6%) from the field and 12-32 (37.5%) from three-point range.

Eastern Oregon 69, Evergreen State 60

Despite a slow start in the team’s second game of the weekend, Eastern Oregon won a nailbiter in overtime behind a stellar showing in the extra period.

Evergreen State got off to a fast start, building a five point lead early on. The Mountaineers ramped up their defensive efforts and held the Geoducks to 4-16 (25%) from the field in the first frame. Haley Robinett scored six points and Eastern Oregon held a narrow 12-11 advantage.

Eastern Oregon had a strong second quarter, building its largest lead of the game (12) with 3:14 remaining in the first half. The Mountaineers were scorching from the field, going 8-9 (88.89%) from the field and 2-3 (66.6%) from three-point range. Eastern Oregon held a 33-25 advantage at the break.

The third quarter made things interesting, as Evergreen State outscored Eastern Oregon by six points to cut the Mountaineers’ lead to 49-47 heading into the final frame.

Evergreen State shot 5-10 (50%) from the field in the fourth quarter to tie the game in the final period. With 1:20 remaining, Jalyn Sackrider hit a jump shot that put the Geoducks up 59-58. After a free-throw from Jenna Glenzrl with 42 seconds remaining, the Mountaineers faced a 60-58 deficit with time winding down. With 25 seconds remaining, Brie Holecek drew contact and nailed both her free-throws to tie the game at 60. The Geoducks missed a layup as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Mountaineers rattled off nine unanswered points while holding the Geoducks scoreless on six attempts from the field. Holecek added two field goals in the overtime period as Eastern Oregon triumphed with a 69-60 victory.

Holecek led the way with 23 points, while Robinett added 15. Holecek had a double-double, also leading the team with 11 rebounds. Slater added 10 boards and eight points in the win.

Eastern Oregon finished the day 26-55 (47.3%) from the field and capitalized off 38 points in the paint.

Coming off the wins, the Mountaineers will return home for two conference matchups that will conclude the regular season schedule. Eastern Oregon is set to host Corban at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 and Bushnell at 3 p.m. on Feb. 24. The matchup against the Beacon’s will honor the team’s seniors.

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