KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The NCU women's basketball team won their 20th game for the first time in school history, toppling Oregon Tech 74-55 as they pulled away late in the fourth quarter.
 
The Beacons (20-3, 13-3 CCC), ranked No. 14 in the NAIA and now riding a five-game winning streak, shot 42% in the game and held the Owls (18-9, 11-6) to 33% shooting. NCU held a 43-39 rebounding edge and committed just ten turnovers.

Head Coach Heath Alexander said, "This was a great team win tonight. When we needed a tough play we had a number of kids step up and make it. This is a tough place to play and we fought really hard to get the win."
 
Northwest Christian looked comfortable early, building a 22-10 advantage after the first quarter. NCU built the lead to as many as 17 points before the Owls made a second-half charge. The lead was reduced to 50-47 with nine minutes remaining  but the Beacons took over in the fourth, outscoring OIT 27-8 the rest of the way.
 
Freshman Anamaria Virjoghe dominated with her fifth 20-point game of the season, missing her career high by one with a 26-point, 12-rebound, two-block night. Freshman Morgan McKinney nearly produced a double-double of her own, scoring 17 points while adding nine rebounds. Dani Baker came off the bench to score 9 points. The sophomore went 3-for-3 from downtown, adding another as the shot expired to end the first quarter which was called off by the official.

"Ana and Morgan were great tonight and Kat B defended really well," said Alexander. "I'm very happy that Dani Buckets make the trip and once again hit some bug momentum shots for us."
 
Oregon Tech had four players in double-figures led by Amanda Constant and Bailey Nelson with 12 each. Megan Morris and Mikaela Shumaker both scored eleven as the OIT reserves out-scored the Beacon bench, 17-16.
 
The Beacons are on to Ashland, Oregon on Sunday afternoon for a marquee matchup against No. 10 ranked Southern Oregon University. The Raiders sit 1.5 games ahead of the Beacons for second-place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings.