SALEM, Ore. – Olivia Sprague scored 19 points and Tatum Schmerbach added 18, helping Oregon Tech clinch a home Cascade Conference Tournament quarterfinal game with a 74-62 victory at Corban University inside C.E. Jeffers Center.
 
The No. 25-ranked Lady Owls (22-3, 16-3 CCC) withstood a cold shooting night, as both Sprague and Schmerbach hit big fourth quarter shots to outlast the upset-minded Warriors.
 
Tech opened the game on an 11-4 run, as Gabbie Gascon canned a jumper and a long 3-pointer – extending the lead to 37-27 at the half.
 
Sprague and Gascon hit consecutive triples late in the third quarter, as the Lady Owls built a 53-40 lead.
 
However, the hosts would not quit – as an 11-2 run – keyed by 3-pointers from Autumn Agnew and Tori Younker, pulled the Warriors (6-19, 7-12) within 55-51.
 
Schmerbach answered with consecutive inside baskets, while Sprague put the game out of reach – scoring 6-straight points – including a left-handed driving lay-up that pushed the lead to 67-56 inside the final three minutes.
 
OIT finished the night making just 36-percent of their field goals – but converted 20-of-24 free throw attempts, including 9-of-10 in the fourth quarter. Schmerbach had a team-high nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks, with Gascon ending the night with 13 points.
 
Maddie Godwin had 16 to lead the Warriors, with Agnew scoring 10.
 
Tech closes out their road schedule tomorrow afternoon, traveling to Bushnell – with tip-off set for 3 p.m.