COMING UP: vs. Walla Walla, Friday, 11 a.m.; vs. No. 13 Lewis-Clark State, Saturday, 4 p.m.

COMPLETE WEEKLY MEDIA NOTEBOOK
 
GAME DAY INFORMATION: All 22 Cascade Conference games will be broadcast live on radio in the Klamath Basin on 104.3-FM and 960-AM, beginning with the Joy Lease Coaches' Show 30-minutes prior to tip-off – simulcast online with audio through MyBasin.com and video through the Owls Sports Network. Live Stats for both games will available through the OIT SIDEARM Stats Portal. Both start times are different than normal CCC home games – with Friday's game set for an 11 a.m. tip (accommodating Walla Walla's religious beliefs) and Saturday's tip set for 4 p.m.
 
SPECIAL THEMES: Friday is the second-annual K-12 Field Trip Game, as 400-500 students from Basin schools will attend the Walla Walla games as a reward for good attendance, grades and citizenship. Saturday is Jersey Night, as fans are asked to wear their favorite jersey to the game, with the best jersey to receive prizes.
 
MULTIMEDIA: Photos from the 2024-25 season are posted online via the OIT Women's Basketball Flickr Page - while highlight clips – including the weekend wins at Warner Pacific and Multnomah, have been posted online via the OIT Women's Basketball YouTube Channel.
 
OPPONENT PREVIEW – WALLA WALLA: The homestand opens Friday morning, putting a 21-0 all-time record on the line against Walla Walla. The Wolves (4-12, 1-9 CCC) earned a win two weeks ago at Multnomah, but enter the weekend 1-7 on the road – with all seven losses by double-digit margins. WWU is averaging 55 points per game, converting 35% of field goal attempts, while committing 17 turnovers a night. Three returners pace the offensive attack – forwards Chariah Daniels (14.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and Jordan Green-Wallace (6.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), along with guard Natalie Trevino (10.7 ppg, 3.4), with newcomer Jaylo Bello (12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) providing a spark. OIT is 12-0 all-time in Klamath, including last season's 83-76 win.
 
OPPONENT PREVIEW – LEWIS-CLARK STATE: The first half of the league season ends with a conference tournament rematch between Tech and LC State. The Warriors (14-2, 8-2 CCC) have made 6-straight trips to the NAIA Tournament (trips in 18-of-20 years), with the current team averaging 76 points and making 48% of their field goals, while holding opponents to a league-best 53 points and forcing 23 turnovers a night. Four returners key the LC attack – Ellie Sander (12.9 ppg, 4.2), Darian Herring (11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.1 apg), Sitara Byrd (10.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Mataya Green (8.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg). The Warriors hold an 8-3 all-time series edge, including wins in 2-of-3 meetings last season.
 
DOMINANT TRIP TO PORTLAND: Tech rolled to road wins at Warner Pacific and Multnomah – averaging 95.5 points a game and outscoring the opponents by 37.5 points a game and finishing with a plus-11 turnover margin. The Owls have held their last six opponents under 40% shooting, while the offense scored 20-or-more points in each of the last seven quarters.
 
WIN STREAKS EXTENDED: OIT ran their win streak to 6-in-a-row and 8-in-a-row on the road – the third-straight year with a 6-game win streak, with the club outscoring each of the opponents by 13-or-more points. The 8-game road win streak is the longest by the Lady Owls is the longest since recording 10-straight road wins between from Jan. 10-Dec. 6, 2014.
 
RECORD-SETTING SHOOTING NIGHT: After making 54% of their field goals at Warner Pacific, the Lady Owls followed with their best shooting performance over four decades in the win at Multnomah. OIT made 39-of-60 of their shot attempts (including 72% in the first half), with the 65% shooting clip the highest by the squad since basketball returned in 2002-03. Only a 25-of-38 performance (65.8%) in 1981 vs. Western Baptist surpassed the current team, who had posted a 50% or better field goal percentage in 4-of-5 games (.535). The Owls have scored 78-or-more points in 5-straight games for the first time since 2014.
 
CONTROLLING THE GLASS: The top rebounding team in the CCC continued their prowess around the basket – combining to outboard the two Portland schools by 43 rebounds. It was the sixth and seventh time during the season Tech has recorded a double-digit rebound margin, with the Lady Owls ranked No. 13 in the NAIA, averaging 11.1 more rebounds than their foes.
 
POSTS KEY ON THE ROAD: Quality play on the block anchored the Lady Owls success in Portland, as Jozie Ramos, Alexis Elquist and Maddyson Tull dominated the paint in the two wins. Ramos scored in double-figures in both wins, knocking down 10-of-15 field goals – with the sophomore averaging 12.5 points over the last seven games. Elquist remains steady, combining for 19 points 13 rebounds and seven assists on the road, making 7-of-13 field goals and all four free throws. Tull had her best weekend of the year, recording nine points and seven rebounds and WPU, while logging her ninth career double-double at Nomah (11 points, 10 rebounds) – needing 23 rebounds and eight points to become the fourth OIT player with 1,200 points and 600 rebounds in a career.
 
ANDERSON AND WRIGHT CONTINUE STRONG JANUARY: Back-up guards Brooke Anderson and Kaitlyn Wright played well in the Rose City – helping Tech to the wins. Anderson scored in double-figures in both games, including a career-high 14 points at Warner Pacific – with the freshman averaging 10 points per game in the month on 17-of-31 shooting from the field. Wright scored eight at Warner Pacific and four at Multnomah, knocking down 67% of her attempts in January (14-of-21).
 
TOPS IN THE LEAGUE: The tandem of Gabbie Gascon and Tatum Schmerbach continue to lead the club and rank among the league leaders in multiple categories. Gascon combined for 21 points and 10 assists in the two victories – and heads into the homestand leading the league in assists and steals. Schmerbach finished the trip scoring 20 points, with 13 rebounds and eight assists – as the sophomore ranks among the Top-15 in the CCC in points, rebounds and assists - including No. 2 in assists.
 
RESERVES GET PLAYING TIME: Every player on the roster got minutes in both weekend games, each contributing in the two wins. Junior guard Chelsea Ching finished 3-for-3 from 3-point range on the trip – including a season-high six points at Warner Pacific. Redshirt freshman guard Kate Miles scored in both games and has converted 4-of-6 field goal chances this season. Freshman post Avery Andrews made 5-of-6 field goals in Portland, posting a career-high six points at Multnomah.
 
AROUND THE LEAGUE: One weekend remains in the first half of the CCC season – with the Top-5 teams (Southern Oregon, OIT, LC State, Eastern Oregon, College of Idaho) creating separation in the standings. This weekend, Multnomah and Warner Pacific had to EOU and C of I, Evergreen State and Northwest travel to Corban and Bushnell, with LC and Walla Walla playing at SOU and OIT. In addition, it was announced Monday that Multnomah will be playing their final season – as the school will be dropping athletics following the spring term as on-campus classes will be ending.
 
LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, Tech leads the CCC in rebound margin (+11.1) and assists per game (18.1), ranking No. 2 steals per game (10.5), No. 3 in scoring offense (75.9), scoring margin (+17.5), field goal percentage (.441), defensive field goal percentage (.365), 3-point percentage (.310) and turnover margin (+4.9), No. 4 in scoring defense (58.4) and blocked shots per game (3.5), ranking No. 11 in free throw percentage (.634). Individually, Gabbie Gascon leads the CCC in assists per game (4.4) and steals per game (2.9), ranking No. 9 in free throw percentage (.732), with Tatum Schmerbach No. 2 in assists per game (4.3), No. 3 in offensive rebounds per game (2.5), and No. 10 in rebounds per game (6.6). Alexis Elquist is No. 2 in offensive rebounds per game (2.7), No. 6 in rebounds per game (8.0) and No. 7 in blocks per game (0.8), Jozie Ramos is No. 6 in field goal percentage (.516) and No. 7 in blocks per game (0.8), Kennedy Tull is No. 4 in free throw percentage (.811), with Kendall Fealey No. 10 in steals per game (1.8).
 
NATIONAL LEADER IN ATTENDANCE:  The Lady Owls continue to dominate the NAIA in attendance – averaging 974 fans for the four home dates this season – well ahead of Carroll (581), Lewis-Clark State (565), Evangel (542) and Concordia (461). Tech ranks No. 8 among all Northwest basketball playing schools in attendance (Gonzaga – 5,185, Oregon – 5,120, Oregon State – 4,396, Washington – 2,100, Boise State – 1,708, Idaho – 1,169, Washington State – 1,023, Oregon Tech – 974, Idaho State – 856, Portland – 780) and No. 3 among all Oregon schools (UO – 5,120, OSU – 4,596, OIT – 974, UP – 780, Portland State – 398, Southern Oregon – 365, George Fox – 215, Linfield – 165, Willamette – 156, Corban – 152.
 
POLL POSITION: The Lady Owls remained as the second team in the "others receiving votes" category in latest Top-25 poll, released on Jan. 15. Tech received 85 voter points from the 20 conference raters – one of three CCC teams in the poll – No. 4-ranked Southern Oregon and No. 19 Lewis-Clark State. as are two preseason opponents – No. 1 Dordt and No. 13 Arizona Christian. OIT sits at No. 15 in the fourth NAIA RPI rating of the season, with the club holding the No. 22 strength of schedule in the association – tops among Cascade Conference teams. The next Top-25 poll will be released on Jan. 29.
 
SUCCESS AT DANNY MILES COURT: Danny Miles Court has been a difficult place for opponents since Tech brought women's basketball back as a varsity sport in 2002. Over the past 23 seasons, the Lady Owls have won 76-percent of their home dates – posting a stellar 252-79 overall record – including a 4-1 mark this year. The 2012-13 squad finished the year with a 15-1 mark, while a season later, the Owls had a 16-2 record – at one point winning 19-consecutive home games. Every season since women's basketball returned to Tech in 2002-03, the Owls have had a winning record every season on their home floor.
 
RECORD BOOK: Eight Lady Owls are currently ranked among the Top-50 in the OIT record book, led by Olivia Sprague, who is No. 2 in field goal attempts (1,133), No. 3 in steals (179), No. 4 in points scored (1,344), field goals made (478) and 3-pointers made (165), No. 5 in 3-point attempts (427), No. 7 in free throws made (223), No. 8 in assists (306), No. 13 in free throw attempts (274), No. 18 in games started (76), No. 19 in rebounds (459) and blocked shots (40), ranking No. 33 in games played (90). Maddyson Tull is No. 3 in field goals made (493), No. 6 in free throw attempts (320), No. 7 in points scored (1,192), No. 10 in rebounds (577) and field goal attempts (935), No. 14 in free throws made (198), No. 17 in blocks (42), No. 21 in games played (112) and No. 48 in assists (105); Kennedy Tull ranks No. 14 in free throws made (198), No. 16 in free throws attempts (258), No. 26 in 3-point attempts (171), No. 27 in 3-pointers made (54) and games played (99), No. 33 in points scored (690), No. 40 in assists (125), ranking No. 43 in field goals made (218) and in field goal attempts (504); Gabbie Gascon is No. 9 in free throws made (217), No. 12 in assists (253), No. 13 in steals (137), No. 15 in free throw attempts (262), No. 19 in 3-point attempts (246), No. 20 in 3-pointers made (79), No. 25 in points scored (760), No. 38 in field goals made (232) and field goal attempts (565), ranking No. 42 in rebounds (290); Alexis Elquist is No. 15 in blocked shots (44), No. 23 in rebounds (445), No. 43 in 3-point attempts (72), No. 44 in 3-pointers made (19), No. 45 in field goals made (192), ranking No. 49 in field goal attempts (461); Jozie Ramos is No. 13 in blocked shots (45), No. 44 in free throws made (101) and No. 49 in free throw attempts (139); Tatum Schmerbach is No. 29 in assists (149), No. 36 in blocked shots (22), No. 39 in rebounds (315), No. 42 in 3-point attempts (74) and No. 46 in 3-pointers made (18); with Kendall Fealey No. 38 in steals (70). Elquist is just outside the Top-50 in points (452), Ramos is just outside the Top-50 in rebounds (216) and points (417), with Schmerbach just outside the Top-50 in points (429).
 
SCORING 90, ALLOWING UNDER 50 EQUAL WINS: OIT has scored 90-or-more points in a game 41 times, posting a 38-3 record in the high-scoring contests – including four 90-point games this season. The Lady Owls are riding a 97-game win streak when allowing fewer than 50 points in a game, recording a 171-8 record in such games (last loss occurred in 2012, a 42-40 setback at Eastern Oregon).
 
UP NEXT: The Lady Owls open up the second half of the Cascade Conference schedule at home, hosting College of Idaho (Jan. 24) and Eastern Oregon (Jan. 25) – with the EOU game the 15th Annual Pink-Out, presented by Sky Lakes Medical Center.