KLAMATH FALLS, ORE. -- Oregon Institute of Technology led Willamette University by just four points with 17:17 left in the game, but the Lady Owls outscored WU by 25 points the rest of the way to claim a 73-44 victory, Saturday, Dec. 8, in the second round of the Oregon Tech Classic. OIT upped its record to 6-2, while the Bearcats dropped to 2-7.
OIT held a 30-23 lead at halftime, but WU opened the second half with a 5-2 run. Jenny Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) scored the first points of the stanza on a jump shot. After the Lady Owls recorded the next two points, Molly Fillion (Jr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) added a 3-pointer, pulling WU within 32-28.
Oregon Tech answered with an 11-0 run for a 43-28 advantage. The 11 consecutive points started a 23-4 run that gave OIT a 55-32 margin at the 9:05 mark.
Willamette shot just 28.3% for the game (15 of 53). The Bearcats made 6 of 15 three-pointers (40.0%) and connected on 8 of 14 free throws.
Laura Payne (Sr., G, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) was WU's top scorer with 13 points. Alex Zennan (Fr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS) contributed 11 points, while Jenny Fillion and Molly Fillion tallied eight points each. Molly Fillion led the 'Cats with seven rebounds. Jenny Fillion provided five boards.
The Lady Owls were 28 of 61 (45.9%) from the field, including 8 of 19 on three-pointers (42.1%). OIT also made 9 of 14 free throws. Oregon Tech outrebounded the Bearcats, 46-24.
Crystal Idrogo led the Lady Owls with 17 points. She also provided eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots. She was 7 of 11 from the floor.
Jenna Ball tacked on 13 points for OIT, while grabbing 10 rebounds and earning three steals. Amanda Johnston finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Willamette does not return to action until Jan. 4, 2008, when the Bearcats will open Northwest Conference play by hosting Whitman College. Game time at Cone Field House is set for 6 p.m. (PST).
