Box Score
KIRKLAND, Wash. – The No. 9 Eastern Oregon University women's basketball team held off upset-minded Northwest University, 74-70, in overtime Friday.
It was Eastern Oregon's first overtime game this season. EOU has played three overtime games the past three seasons, and all have been against Northwest.
The last three regular season meetings in Kirkland between EOU and Northwest have gone to overtime. In 2010, the Eagles won 91-85 in double overtime. The Mountaineers won last season's regular season meeting at NU in double overtime, 91-85. The last five regular season meetings between the two teams have been decided by a combined 25 points, with Eastern winning the latest three of the five.
The Mountaineers (12-3, 5-1 Cascade Collegiate Conference) were paced by
Brooke Randall's season-high 24 points. The junior was 7-of-12 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Kyle Miller added 14 points.
Chayla Jones had a team-high nine rebounds and Randall and
Tina Miller each threw three assists.
Eastern improved to 28-8 all-time against the Eagles, including four straight wins. The Mountaineers have won seven of the last eight games inside the Northwest University Pavilion.
The first half featured seven ties and eight lead changes. Northwest led by as many as five points in the first half, 13-8, after a pair of Jessalyn Jackson free throws five minutes into the game.
With 10:00 left until halftime, the Mountaineers trailed 24-22, but made an 8-0 run capped off by a three-pointer by
Kyle Miller. Eastern's largest lead was eight points, including the halftime margin, 40-32.
Korrie Bourn ended a 9-2 run to open the second half with a tip-in. EOU had its largest lead of the game with 14:49 remaining in regulation, 53-37. Over the next 12 minutes the Eagles made a 25-7 run to take a 62-60 lead after an Ebany Herd lay-in with 2:58 left in the game.
Only three more baskets were made in the final 2:30. A Jones lay-in tied the game, then Eastern's
Kelsea Hurliman hit a three-pointer with 1:46 remaining in regulation, and NU's Emily Drivstuen responded with a three with 54 seconds left.
The Mountaineers scored the first seven points of the overtime period, which would be just enough of a cushion for the win. EOU led 72-65 to open the extra period, before Northwest answered with five consecutive points to trail by two with 54 seconds remaining in overtime. Randall would then hit a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
Eastern shot 37 percent from the field, 9-for-28 from behind the arc, and 13-of-14 from the free-throw line. The Mountaineers outrebounded NU, 42-33. EOU forced 28 turnovers, but committed 24. Eastern Oregon forced The Evergreen State College into 32 turnovers Thursday night.
Jackson led the Eagles with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The senior entered the game first in NAIA Div. 2 in blocks per game averaging 4.8 an outing. Friday she finished with eight, just two shy of a triple double. Jackson recorded 28 points and 23 rebounds Thursday against The College of Idaho. Friday, Drivstuen added 15 points for NU and Carol Howard had 13.
Northwest (6-7, 2-3) shot 45 percent from the field, 7-of-19 from three-point range, and 17-for-22 from the free-throw line. The Eagles had a 12-11 assist advantage, but Eastern had 13 steals to NU's 11.
The Mountaineers welcome Northwest Christian to La Grande next Friday. The Beacons (8-9, 0-5) fell at No. 22 Corban Friday, 61-50. NCU has lost three straight games. EOU has won seven of the eight all-time meetings, but Northwest Christian picked up a 66-61 over EOU last year in Eugene.
Next Friday's tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be on EOUSports.com. Live radio will be available on KUBQ 98.7 FM with pregame beginning at 5:15 p.m.
