EUGENE, Ore. – Melissa Lee saved her biggest rebound of a career-night for last, securing a board with six seconds remaining and canning the ensuring free throws, as Oregon Tech clinched the No. 4 seed in the Cascade Conference Championships with a hard-fought 60-55 win at Bushnell.
 
Lee scored 14 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, securing the Lady Owls (19-8, 15-6 CCC) a home quarterfinal rematch with the Beacons on Wednesday night at Danny Miles Court. Tip-off for the playoff date is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
"What an outstanding effort tonight from Melissa," said head coach Paul Poetsch. "She stepped up in a big way at both ends of the floor."
 
The Beacons (17-9, 14-7) took a 40-38 lead on free throws from Aly Mirabile and Aspen Slifka with five minutes left in the third quarter – but the OIT defense did not allow another point in the frame. Kennedy Tull tied the game with a driving lay-up and Alexis Elquist gave Tech the lead for good with a short jumper. Lee converted a lay-up and a long 3-pointer, with Gabbie Gascon capping the 11-0 run with two free throws.
 
The margin grew to 57-46 on two Gascon free throws with three minutes left in the game, but BU had one last push. A Kaylen Kamelamela triple and a steal and basket from Bella Pedrojetti cut the lead to 58-55 – but the Beacons missed a pair of free throws and two 3-point chances inside the final minute, with Lee securing the final rebound to seal the win.
 
Lee made 5-of-10 field goals and added two assists, two steals and three blocks in the win. Maddyson Tull had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists, with Elquist scoring a career-high 14 points.
 
Pedrojetti scored a game-high 16 points for BU, with scoring 12 of the 16 in the first half.
 
Tech closes out the regular-season tomorrow afternoon with a 3 p.m. match-up at Corban.