CHANDLER, Ariz. - Eastern Oregon wrapped up play at the Cactus Classic with a win over Montana Tech Thursday morning. The Mounties took a 78-62 victory to move to 10-1 on the year while the Orediggers fall to 2-8.
 
Once again, it was Bayley Brennan getting things started for the Mountaineers knocking down the first of her two first quarter threes on the Mounties' first possession. The two teams went back and forth in the first quarter until an Aubrie Rademacher layup put the Orediggers up one with a minute and a half to go making it 16-15.
 
The Mountaineers reclaimed the lead in the second opening with a 10-1 run capped off by a Sailor Liefke three pointer. Montana Tech responded with a big run of their own going on a 11-0 run directly after to again take the lead at 28-27 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Back-to-back threes from Bayley Brennan and Kaiea Waiwaiole put the Mounties on top at the half marking the final lead change of the game. After two quarters the Mounties lead 33-28.
 
Eastern took complete control in the third quarter outscoring the Orediggers 26-15. Liefke led the way with eight of the 26 points as the Mounties worked their way to an 18-point lead with 1:20 left on the clock thanks to a Liefke three pointer. Rademacher was able to put a couple more on the board on the next possession to make it 59-43 after three quarters. With the game in hand the Mounties fended off the Orediggers in the fourth quarter to take the 78-62 win.
 
Next up for the Mountaineers is No. 10 ranked Lewis-Clark State. Eastern will take on the Warriors for the top spot in the conference at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30. Both teams currently are undefeated in conference play and sit at 10-1 on the season.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• The Mountaineers once again proved they are one of the best shooting teams in the country shooting over 50% from the field and an impressive 60.9% from beyond the arc
• The second and third quarters were the key EOU's win as they outscored Tech 44-27 in those two quarters
• Montana Tech's defense did its best to disrupt EOU's attack forcing 18 EOU turnovers and scoring 17 points off those turnovers

STANDOUT MOUNTIE PERFORMANCES

• Sailor Liefke: 22 PTS, 8-14 FG, 6-9 3PT, 8 REB, 6 AST
• Bayley Brennan: 20 PTS, 7-9 FG, 6-7 3PT, 1 REB

Read Full Article