KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech head coach Paul Poetsch knew tonight's match-up with Bushnell University would be a tell-tale sign of the development of his young team. Behind 20 points from Olivia Sprague and a defense that forced 28 turnovers, the Lady Owls earned their sixth-straight victory, a 71-64 statement win over the Beacons at Danny Miles Court.
 
OIT (11-4, 7-2 CCC) moved into sole possession of fourth place in the league standings, jumping out to a 33-14 lead and held off a fourth quarter rally from the visitors.
 
"What a tremendous win tonight," Poetsch said. "I thought we showed a lot of toughness as a team and continue to get better each and every night."
 
Consecutive 3-pointers from Kennedy Tull and Kayley Elliott gave Tech a 19-7 lead, a triple and jumper from Sprague pushed the margin to 28-14, with Melissa Lee capping the 22-7 run with a trey, extending the lead to 19.
 
The Beacons (9-5, 6-3) cut the deficit to 37-25 on an Aly Mirabile lay-up, but Maddyson Tull capped a quick OIT run with a transition lay-up, giving the hosts a 49-30 lead midway through the third quarter.
 
BU turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 16 turnovers after the break, with Bella Pedrojetti and Haley Hanson splashing 3's in a 10-0 fourth quarter run that pulled the Eugene squad within 57-51.
 
Tech answered with back-to-back baskets from Sprague and Gabbie Gascon and the Lady Owls made 5-of-6 free throws in the waning moments to complete the victory.
 
Sprague finished with four rebounds and four steals in the win, with Maddyson Tull posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Gascon scored a career-high 11 points with four assists, Lee logged eight points, nine rebounds and five steals, with Kennedy Tull scoring 11. The Owls had a 45-35 edge on the glass and connected on 20-of-21 free throw chances.
 
Aspen Slifka led the Beacons with 22 points and seven rebounds, Libby Mathis had 16 points, with Pedrojetti scoring 10.  BU made 9-of-31 3-point attempts in the loss.
 
"A big key was our amazing fans this weekend," Poetsch said. "The support we have at home is key to our success."
 
The Lady Owls close out the first half of the conference schedule next weekend with road dates at Lewis-Clark State and Walla Walla.