Salem, Ore. The Titans found themselves down double-digits on the road for the second time in as many games — lost last Wednesday at Southwestern Oregon (SWOCC) after a 16-point comeback fell short — but this time the Titans defense stepped up and pulled out the road win at Chemeketa, 65-44.
How it happened
First quarter: It was a competitive start to the game with neither team holding more than a one-possession lead until a Chemeketa three with 5:17 left made it a four-point Storm advantage, 10-6. Another Storm three at the 2:41 mark made it a three-possession deficit, 17-10. Only two Titan points in the final three minutes and a layup with 31 seconds left by Chemeketa made it a seven-point deficit, 19-12, at the end of the quarter.
Despite only scoring 12 points, the Titans shot 54.5 percent and lost ground with five turnovers and no made threes while allowing Chemeketa to shot 66.7 percent and make all three of their three-point attempts. Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon led the Titans with six points, two rebounds and a block in six minutes.
Second quarter: The start of the second followed the events of the end of the first with the Titans failing to score until the 6:17 mark while allowing three points and falling behind by double-digits for the second straight game going back to last Wednesday's loss at SWOCC.
Down 10, 24-14, under the five-minute mark, Maddie Bertsch made a three and started a 14-0 run to the 1:40 mark. Megan Fossen made two threes during a 46 second period that took the Titans from being down eight to two. The Titans led 28-26 at half after allowing a late layup.
The Titans offense improved in points with 16. Three made threes made up for a drop in field goal percentage down to 42.9 percent and another five turnovers. The Titans plus nine advantage in the quarter, though, was thanks to their defense, they held Chemeketa to 21.4 percent shooting, they did not allow a three-point make and were plus seven on the glass.
Third quarter: The Titans forced a Storm timeout at the 6:12 mark with a 9-2 run to start the half. Like their run at the end of the second quarter, Megan Fossen was at the center of the run with five points. After a small run brought the Storm with five points, the Titans responded with an 8-2 run to finish the quarter and led by 11 points, 45-34.
The Titans offensive efficiency slowed for the third straight quarter, but their point total increased for the third straight quarter with 17 points on 35.3 percent shooting. Defensively the Titans extended their advantage by another nine points by holding Chemeketa to 23.1 percent shooting and again no made threes. Kendra McAninch and Megan Fossen had six points each.
Fourth quarter: After scoring four points in the first 1:50, the Titans went cold with no points for the next 1:47, but again their defense held strong by not conceding any points during the period either. Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon finished a layup with 6:23 remaining and started an 8-0 Titan run down to the 3:58 mark and put the game out of reach with a 19-point lead, 57-38. A Mia Morey three put the icing on the cake with 35 seconds left.
The fourth quarter was arguably the Titans best overall quarter, scoring 20 points and allowing 10 while shooting 47.1 percent and holding Chemeketa to a 25 percent shooting mark. Kendra built on a strong third quarter with an eight point, six rebounds and one assist quarter.
What stood out:
65 points: The Titans are 6-4 when scoring fewer than 70 points … 47 rebounds: 16-1 when recording 40 or more rebounds … 15 turnovers: 11-3 when committing 15 or fewer … 17 offensive rebounds: 22-0 when recording 15 or more offensive rebounds … 4 blocks: 9-1 with four or more blocks … 20 assists: 10-2 when recording 20 or more assists … 16 fouls: 14-3 when committing fewer than 20.
Who stood out:
Megan Fossen: 18 points, five rebounds, eight assists, two steal and one block; eight assists ties a career-high (Jan. 8 versus Umpqua); fourth-straight double figure scoring game, the Titans are 14-2 when she scores in double figures … Kendra McAninch: 16 points, six rebounds and three assists; fourth-straight double figure scoring game; the Titans are 12-0 when she has five or more rebounds … Kalina Rojas: 10 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two block; double figure scoring in all 26 games; 21st double-double of the season and 16th in her last 18 games; the Titans are 7-0 when she records two or more blocks … Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon: 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block.
What it means: The Titans are now in fourth place after their bye last Saturday gave Clackamas and Mt. Hood one more game and win than the Titan. The Titans sit .5 games behind Clackamas and Mt. Hood for second place.
What's next: The Titans (20-6, 9-4) host No.8 and second place Mt. Hood (18-8, 10-4) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.