PORTLAND – Eastern Oregon University Women's Basketball had its six-game winning streak snapped Saturday afternoon as the team dropped a 68-65 contest to Bushnell University. The Mountaineers loss is just there second of the season as they now sit at 6-2 overall.
 
How it Happened
• The Mountaineers shot just 36.2 from the floor for the game on 21-58 made shots and were just 7-22 from three-point range for 31.8%. Bushnell (1-1) went 40.6% from the field on 26-64 shooting and did not fare much better from deep. The Beacons were just 5-17 from beyond the arc for 29.4%.
• Eastern won the rebounding battle 46-37, but the EOU reserves scored just 10 points in the loss, while the Bushnell bench scored 23. Points in the paint also fell in the Beacons' favor at 38-26. Bushnell also forced 21 turnovers against EOU and had just 12.
• The Beacons led the majority of the opening quarter and had the advantage at 17-14 after the first. EOU managed to jump out 4-2 in the early going of the first, but a 9-0 run by Bushnell put them 11-4 and they never relinquished it the rest of the frame.
• The second quarter was a battle the whole way through with the two teams trading shots. EOU managed to cut its deficit to two points a handful of times, but the Beacons had an answer each time to stay in front.
• The Mountaineers grabbed the lead late in the second quarter on a long three pointer from Taylor Stricklin to bring the score to 28-27 with 1:49 to play in the first half. Bushnell then closed out the second quarter with a quick 5-0 run to take a 32-28 lead into halftime.
• Eastern opened the start of the second half with an 11-2 run to retake the lead at 37-34. Sailor Liefke was crucial in the run scoring five of the Mounties' seven points to help them jump back in front. A layup from Beverly Slater by three with 6:10 to play in the third before two made free throws pushed the score to 39-34.
• Bushnell responded to the run by EOU and went on to outscore them 10-3 in the final six minutes of action. The late surge by the Beacons gave them a slim 44-42 lead going into the fourth. The final 10 minutes of play was a battle before Bushnell closed out the game to seal the win.
• EOU tied the game at 44-all in the first minute of play in the fourth and from that point on it was a back-and-forth affair lead changes and ties. With 5:09 to play in regulation, the Mounties tied the game at 53-53 before an 8-0 run by Bushnell put them up 61-53.
• Despite the run by the Beacons, Eastern managed to fight its way back into the game and cut the lead to one, 61-60, thanks to a 7-0 run. With 1:40 left to play, EOU tried to force pressure on defense but ultimately had to foul to save clock time. In the end, Bushnell held on for the three-point win.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Sailor Liefke led the way with 17 points in 31 minutes of action. She also tied the lead in assists with four.
• Beverly Slater added 15 points in the loss. She finished with a double-double grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds.
• Taylor Stricklin chipped in 10 points to round out the double-digit scoring for EOU.
 
For the Beacons
• Aspen Slifka had 14 points to lead Bushnell. She shot 6-12 from the floor and was 2-4 from deep.
• Libby Mathis added 12 points in the win on 4-9 made shots and had five rebounds.
• Sarah Reinecker and Kaylen Kamelamela each scored 11 points in the win.
 
By the Numbers
16 – The 16 rebounds by Beverly Slater are the most in a game by an EOU player this season.
16 – The 16 made free throws by the Mounties on Saturday is also a new game-high for the year.
19 – EOU grabbed 19 offensive rebounds on Saturday which is the second highest amount in a game this year.
4 – The Mounties had just four steals in Saturday's game, which is lowest in any game this season.
 
Up Next
• EOU will be back in Portland next weekend when the team begins conference play against Multnomah University. The two teams will square off on March 19 and 20, with both games set to tip-off at 1 p.m. PT.

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