SPOKANE, Wash. – Hungry for its first win of the 2015-16 campaign, the No. 14 Eastern Oregon University women's basketball team outscored NCAA Division III opponent (RV) Whitworth, 16-6, in the extra period to pull off a thrilling 71-61 victory on Sunday afternoon. 

Key Performances
Sophomore guard Payton Parrish netted a career-high 21 points off the bench, including a 6-for-7 effort from beyond the arc. Senior forward Nikki Osborne notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards, while senior guard Jordan Klebaum added 12 points.

The Storyline
After Whitworth utilized some hot shooting to build a 21-10 advantage, Klebaum netted a long-ball at the buzzer of the first quarter to keep EOU within striking distance. The Mountaineers continued to claw their way back into the game, as Osborne capped a three-point play to pull the Navy and Gold with three (27-24) at the 4:02 mark of the second quarter. In the winding moments of the half, senior guard Maloree Moss knocked down a jumper to make it a one-point (31-30) affair going into the locker room.

EOU snatched a 34-33 lead just over two minutes into the third quarter after Klebaum's jumper, but the Pirates fired back with a 17-7 run to build a nine-point (50-41) lead in the fourth stanza. The Mountaineers hung tough, as Parrish and Osborne mustered three points apiece to cut Whitworth's lead to two (53-51), and then senior forward Madeline Laan scored back-to-back jumpers to give EOU a 55-53 lead with just 1:27 on the clock. With under a minute left, Whitworth ultimately connected on a pair of free throws to send the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, the Navy and Gold netted its first three shots to build a seven-point (64-57) advantage. Whitworth went 1-for-2 at the line to make it a six-point game, but then Parrish swooshed one of her six three's to put the game out of reach, and the Mountaineers earned their first win of the 2015-16 campaign.

EOU shot over 40 percent for the first time this season and drilled eight three's in the victory. The Mountaineers forced 23 turnovers and had 15 assists as well.

KC McConnell led the Pirates with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

Stat of the Game
10 – EOU used a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to grasp a critical two-point (55-53) lead with just over one minute remaining.

Up Next
The Mountaineers (1-2) return to the hardwood on Wednesday for their home opener against Whitman. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.