KLAMATH FALLS, ORE. -- Two shots which rolled out, and two makes by California Merced produced a 10-point swing Friday to help the Bobcats to a come-from-behind, 63-57, victory over Oregon Tech in the Lithia Oregon Tech Classic.
Tech had opened up a 41-29 lead midway through the third quarter when the Hustlin' Owls had a three-point shot roll off the rim, and UCM responded with a basket.
On OIT's next possession, a layup rolled off the basket, UCM rebounded and hit a three to turn the game around.
"We got too comfortable," junior Abby Kreiser said. "We have to be more disciplined."
OIT did seem disjointed, and finished the game with an uncharacteristically high 25 turnovers.
"We have to slow down an play our game," sophomore Courtney Clemmer said after she scored a career high 26 points, and narrowly missed a double-double effort with nine rebounds.
"They took the momentum, and we let them," Kreiser said, "especially at home. We have had trouble coming out after halftime, and we have to figure out how to get over that hump."
Part of the momentum UCM took came during a 13-0 run which allowed the Bobcats to turn their 42-29 deficit into a 42-41 lead.
The two teams traded leads for four possessions before UCM went ahead for good, and a 17-rebound effort in the third period was crucial to the Bobcats and their comeback.
