KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Oregon Tech and Northwest Christian are no longer tied for third place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference after the Owls defeated NCU 70-55 on Thursday night in the penultimate game of the regular season.
 
OIT (22-7, 15-4) shot out of the gates, shooting 56% in the first quarter as they established a 24-10 lead. They held a 33-24 advantage at halftime and went on to win by 15, fueled in large part to a perfect 21-for-21 performance at the free-throw line.
 
The Beacons (17-9, 14-5) were led by Niki Duncan, scoring 13 points. Hanna Mack added 11 points and led all players with five blocks. Jeni Hoffert scored a pair of three pointers and ended with eight points and two steals.
 
Oregon Tech had three players in double-figures, led by Nohea Waiwaiole who shot 7-for-7 and tallied 16 points. Bailey Nelson was a 12-point, 9-rebound presence down low and Morgan Roberts-Ili chipped in 11 points and two blocks.
 
With one game remaining in the regular season, NCU is still alive for a chance at the No. 3 seed for the CCC tournament, but multiple things will need to go their way over the rest of the final weekend of conference play. The Beacons will play their final regular season tilt on Saturday night, traveling to Ashland High School to take on Southern Oregon University at 5:30 pm.