Gresham, Ore. – The Titans turned the ball over 18 times in their 62-60 road loss to Mt. Hood.
How it happened:
First quarter: There wasn't much offense with a combined 15 points scored in the quarter. The Titans struggled to a 20 percent shooting clip and turned the ball of three times. A plus six advantage on the glass and plus three advantage at the line were the difference in the first ten minutes as the Titans led 9-6.
Second quarter: The Titans got five quick points in the first 1:26 and stretched their lead to eight, 14-6. That lead did not last long, the Saints came right back with a 12-0 run to the 5:48 mark. The Saints extended their run to 18-2 at the 4:18 mark with a layup off a turnover. A 12-2 run started by a Hailey Stevens' three gave the Titans a 28-26 halftime advantage. The Titans shot 60 percent, but nine turnovers provided 13 more shot attempts to Mt. Hood and took away an opportunity to extend their lead to double digits.
Third quarter: The Saints went on a 10-2 run after the Titans got a layup to start the half from Kalina Rojas and found themselves down four 3:27 into the half. The lead was traded back and forth until a Megan Fossen three with 32 seconds remaining gave the Titans their first multi-possession lead since the opening minute. The Saints responded with a three to close the gap to one after three, 43-42.
Fourth quarter: Both teams went on 5-0 runs in the first two minutes of the quarter and with 4:03 left in the game the Saints made a three to extend their lead to four and was part of a 2:13 run without points for the Titans. Kendra McAninch made two free throws with 2:11 remaining to reduce the deficit to two. Megan Fossen made a jump shot with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 60, but with three seconds left the Saints got a layup to seal the win.
Who Stood out: Kalina Rojas recorded her 14th double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds. Rojas now has scored in double figures in all 18 games and has had double figure rebounds in nine of the last 10 games.
What stood out: The Titans shot under 40 percent (38.9 percent) for the fifth time, two of their four losses have come in these games. 18 turnovers: they have committed 18 or more turnovers in three of their four losses and are 9-1 with fewer than 18 turnovers.
What it means: The Titans drop to a tie for fourth with Chemeketa at 3-2. They sit 3.5 games back of first place Umpqua, one game back of second place Clackamas and .5 games behind third place Mt. Hood. They are only one game ahead of Linn-Benton and SWOOC who are tied for sixth.
What's next: The Titans (14-4, 3-2) host Chemeketa (8-9, 3-2) on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.