EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team got back into the win column on Friday night, claiming their first Cascade Collegiate Conference win of the season, 61-53 over Oregon Tech. Just one game after losing starting post player Emily Gray, NCU rallied back from a six-point half-time deficit to take control of the game and grab the win.

“This goes to show what we can do when we play as a team and we believe in ourselves,” said Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton. “That's the bottom line. We came in and said that we were going to play hard and play together no matter what, and we were able to turn over a new leaf tonight.”

The Beacons trailed 33-27 at the intermission and the Owl's Kellie Morey opened the second half with a three-pointer, stretching the Oregon Tech lead to nine points. OIT led by seven, 38-31 with 17:41 to play, but NCU quickly turned things around with a 16-1 run to get ahead by ten points, 49-39 on a three-pointer by Elise Gray. The Beacons spread the lead to eleven points on three occasions before finally settling in for the eight-point victory.

Oregon Tech (10-7, 3-5 CCC) was led by Morey who finished with 13 points, hitting three triples. Amanda Johnston added ten points and ten rebounds and Nicole Morgan chipped in eight points to go with a team-high eight boards. Senior Point Guard Meagan Miyasaka added seven assists before fouling out late in the second half.

Gray was the high-scorer for Northwest Christian (6-10, 1-6) with 17 points and Calie McVicker chipped in ten points and nine rebounds. McKenzie Gambee (pictured) stepped up to lead NCU's post play with 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Beacons out-rebounded OIT, 46-39. Coach Bolton said, “McKenzie is our glue right now. Her communication on the court keeps us together. Her inside presence simply makes us better on both ends of the floor.”

Northwest Christian returns to action tomorrow night against Southern Oregon University (11-4, 3-3), a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll. Tip-off time will be at 5:30 as the Beacons go for their first-ever victory against the Raiders, who defeated NCU three times during the 2007-2008 season.