PORTLAND – Eastern Oregon University Women's Basketball picked up its sixth-straight win of the season on Friday afternoon with a 69-64 comeback victory over Bushnell University in a neutral site non-conference matchup. With the win, the Mountaineers are now 6-1 on the season.
 
How it Happened
• The Mountaineers trailed by as much as 12 points in the game but a 23-8 scoring surge in the fourth quarter was the difference maker in taking down the Beacons (0-1). Bushnell shot the ball a bit better at 42.9% (27-63), while EOU was 27-68 from the floor for 39.7%.
• Neither team shot the ball well from deep as EOU went 4-21 for 19%, while the Beacons were just 5-21 for 23.8%. Rebounding was key for the Mounties as they won the clean up battle 47-32, with 14 of the boards coming on offense.
• The Beacons jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to start the game before EOU responded with a 6-0 run to grab its first lead at 6-5. Maddy Juul gave the Mountaineers their first lead with a jumper inside the paint with 6:45 to play in the game.
• The two teams traded buckets for a quick few minutes before a 7-0 scoring surge by Bushnell gave them a 14-8 advantage. Adyson Harris ended the Mounties' drought with a made shot with 2:25 to go in the opening frame. After one quarter of play, the Beacons took a 16-11 lead into the second.
• Bushnell managed to open up its lead to 23-17 in the first 2:30 of play in the second. Following a scoring drought by both teams, Eastern managed to tie the game at 23-all as the Mountaineers pieced together a 6-0 run that happened in just over a minute. A jumper by Leilani Padilla with 4:23 on the clock evened out the score.
• Eastern managed to regain the lead with just over three minutes to play in the half. A made shot from Jillian Albright tied things up at 25-25 before Juul made another shot in the paint to give the Mounties a 27-25 edge. Bushnell kept things close in the final minutes but never got back in front as EOU took a 33-32 lead into halftime.
• Coming out of the break, the Beacons wasted little time retaking the lead as they went on a 9-0 run in the first four minutes of play to lead 41-33. A three-pointer from Taylor Stricklin got the Mountaineers within five, 41-36, with 5:22 to play in the third. Bushnell's early surge helped as they outscored EOU 24-13 in the frame to lead 56-46 going into the fourth.
• The Beacons led by as much as 12 in the third quarter and managed to get back to that point early in the fourth. A pair of Beacons' free throws in the first 11 seconds of action put EOU in a 58-46 deficit. Despite trailing by double figures, the Mountaineers responded as their defense held Bushnell to just six points the rest of the quarter.
• A 13-0 run by the Mountaineers was crucial in getting them back into the game and was the backbreaker for Bushnell. Their run last over five minutes with Beverly Slater and Harris combining for 10 of those points. Harris had six in that span, while Slater put up four. Capping off the run was a deep triple from Sailor Liefke as EOU was back in front by one, 59-58, with 4:51 to play in regulation.
• Bushnell managed to tie the game at 62-all with a little over two minutes to go in the game but a crucial three-pointer and two made free throws by Stricklin ultimately closed the door on any chances of a comeback. Padilla closed out the game with a pair of free throws as EOU picked up its sixth win of the year.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Beverly Slater totaled 14 points on 6-14 shooting to lead EOU. She also grabbed seven rebounds in the win.
• Maddy Juul added 12 points on 5-10 shooting. She also had four boards in 23 minutes of action.
• Off the bench, Adyson Harris put up 11 points on 50% shooting (5-10) in 16 minutes of playing time.
• Leilani Padilla chipped in 10 points to round out the double-digit scoring for EOU. She was 3-7 from the floor and a clean 4-4 from the free throw line.
• Sailor Liefke dished out a game-high nine assists and added seven points in the win.
• Jillian Albright was the team's top rebounder with 13 and chipped in seven points.
 
For the Beacons
• Aspen Slifka led all players with 16 points. She shot 6-15 from the floor and was a perfect 3-3 at the charity strip.
• Morgan McKinney added 12 points in the loss on 5-6 made shots.
• Sarah Reinecker chipped in 10 points to round out the figure scoring. She was 4-10 from the floor and 2-5 from beyond the arc.
• Kayce Mock led all players with a game best 14 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time.
 
By the Numbers
11 – The Mountaineers 11 made free throws is the most in a game this season.
13 – EOU's 13 free throw attempts is also the most in a game this season.
19 – Eastern shot just 19% from beyond the arc, which is the lowest this season.
6 – The Mountaineers have now grabbed double-digit offensive rebounds in six games this year.
4 – EOU has scored 20-plus points in the fourth quarter four times this year.
 
Up Next
• The Mountaineers and Beacons will face off yet again tomorrow (Saturday). Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. in Portland.

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