OLYMPIA, Wash. – Without a winner after 40 minutes of regulation and still without a winner after the first overtime period, the Oregon Tech Owls survived an upset bid by the Evergreen Geoducks, winning 68-66, in a Cascade Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
After a strong start by the Owls (18-3, 7-2 CCC) to open the game, the Geoducks (4-14, 2-7 CCC) quickly grabbed the reigns, pushing the lead to nine points with 8:58 to go in the opening period on a three-pointer by Sami Clark (Monroe, Wash./Edmonds CC). Evergreen continued to hold Oregon Tech at bay as they took a 29-22 lead into the break.
The lead briefly dipped into double-digits early in the second half on a jumper by Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS) with 15:58 left to go. That wouldn’t last long as Oregon Tech used a 14-3 run to pull ahead by a point with 7:15 on the clock. The score stayed tight for the remainder of regulation and it looked like Evergreen might win it in overtime after Clark hit a layup with five seconds left to play to put the Geoducks up by two.
The Owls had other plans as they drove the length of the floor and Aundrea Albright put the jumper in the basket as time expired to tie the game for the sixth time and force the extra period. In the first overtime, Oregon Tech got on the board first and the Owls never trailed but Clark once again played hero, hitting a three pointer to tie the game at 58 and force a second overtime.
Oregon Tech opened the second overtime with eight straight points but the Geoducks fought back, pulling within two in the closing seconds on a three by Swain. Evergreen stole the inbounds pass but the buzzer sounded before they could put up a potential winner as Oregon Tech earned the hard-fought 68-66 win.
Evergreen was led by a career-high 31 points from Swain, the second best point total in school history. Swain also added eight rebounds on the night to go with four assists and four steals. Clark finished with 15 on the night, playing all but one minute for the Geoducks in the loss.
Oregon Tech was led by 14 each from Colleen Hunt and Albright. Karissa Dixon added 11 while Kassi Conditt came off the bench to chalk up 10 in the win. Dixon, Albright and Conditt all finished with 10 rebounds as well to give the Owls three double-doubles on the night. OIT was solid on the glass, outrebounding Evergreen, 62-47, on the contest.
Evergreen will make a brief trip north on Monday to wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule against Northwest Indian College. Tip with the Eagles is set for 4pm in Bellingham, Wash.
