KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Tatum Schmerbach scored 18 points and posted 15 rebounds, as Oregon Tech tied a school record for single-game rebounds in a 91-64 victory over UC Merced on Day 1 of the Lithia Classic at Danny Miles Court.
 
The Lady Owls (1-2) combined to grab 70 rebounds as a squad, equaling the single-game record first established last season vs. Multnomah.
 
Playing at home for the first time this season, Tech started slowly, as a lay-up from the Bobcats (2-1) Jazzy Beltran gave the visitors a 13-8 lead late in the first quarter. The Owls clamped down defensively, holding UCM without a made field goal over a seven minute stretch – outscoring the visitors 24-1 during the run.
 
Schmerbach gave Tech their first lead at 15-13 with a put-back bucket to close the quarter. Gabbie Gascon drained a running jumper and a triple, with Kendall Fealey and Kennedy Tull draining 3's, as the margin ballooned to 32-14.
 
Leading 40-24 at the break, Schmerbach and Jozie Ramos each converted a pair of baskets to extend the margin to 55-33 – with the OIT lead staying above 20 the rest of the night.
 
Gascon scored 15 points with five rebounds and six assists, Ramos had 12 points and 12 rebounds, with Alexis Elquist adding 12 points.
 
Mariah Flores scored 19 points and Leilani Blecha added 17 in the loss for the Bobcats, who were limited to 32-percent shooting on the night.
 
In the early game, Southern Oregon rolled to a 106-63 win over Cal Maritime.
 
Tomorrow, SOU meets UC Merced at 1 p.m., with Tech and CMA playing at 5:30 p.m. – live on 104.3 and 960 Sports.