FULLERTON – Tatum Schmerbach poured in 31 points to lead No. 23 Oregon Tech to a 78-70 women's basketball victory over host Hope International on Saturday at Darling Pavilion.
Schmerbach hit 12 of 22 floor shots, including 3 of 6 from distance, and added 13 rebounds for a double-double.
The Lady Owls outscored the Royals by 18 points across the second and third quarters after shooting over 50 percent in both frames.
HIU, which struggled with its shooting throughout most of the game, made 8 of 16 shots in the fourth quarter to outscore Oregon Tech 26-19, but it was not enough to overcome a double-digit deficit that reached as high as 17 in the third period.
Andrea Javier, Amira Austin and N'Dya Parks all finished with 14 points to lead the Royals, while Nicole Chuang chipped in 11. In her HIU debut, Kailani Flournoy posted nine points, eight rebounds and a blocked shot in just 17 minutes.
HIU capitalized on OIT turnovers, turning 14 Lady Owl miscues into a 25-3 points off turnovers advantage.
But it was not enough to overcome a 12-point second quarter from Schmerbach, who helped the Lady Owls turn a 26-22 deficit into a 39-28 halftime lead. OIT, which began the game 0 for 9 from three-point range, made three consecutive triples over a one minute, 11 second span, with two coming from Schmerbach and the other from Brooke Anderson.
Two free throws from Schmerbach completed a 17-2 run as OIT headed into the locker room up 11 at the break.
Ayla Marston gave OIT its largest lead of 55-38 at the 4:37 mark of the third quarter on a three-pointer. The Royals scored six straight – capped off by a Flournoy triple – to cut the deficit to 55-44. But the Lady Owls ended the third period on back-to-back baskets from Jozie Ramos and Schmerbach to grab a 15-point lead.
The Royals had numerous chances to cut the deficit to single digits, but shot just 2 of 7 from distance in the fourth quarter.
HIU eventually lowered the deficit to seven on two occasions in the final period, as two Austin free throws made it 73-66 with 32 seconds remaining. But OIT made 5 of 6 from the foul line to ice the game.
HIU fell to 1-3 with the loss, while OIT improved to 3-1.
The Royals next play across the street on Nutwood Ave., facing Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday in Titan Gym for an exhibition game. Tip time is 7:00 p.m.
