Albany, Ore. – The Titans avoided the early deficit that has plagued them in their previous three games in a 15-point win at Linn-Benton. The win clinches a playoff berth for the Titans and if they win their season-finale versus Clark on Saturday, they will be the two seed from the Southern Region.
How it happened
First quarter: The Titans defense got off to a fast start once again by holding Linn-Benton to two points in the first 4:30 plus to open the game. However, over the next 1:48 the Roadrunners went on a 7-1 run to take a 9-7 lead with 3:37 remaining in the quarter.
That would be the only time the Titans would trail, and it only lasted for 14 second before Kendra McAninch converted on a layup to even the game at nine. Kalina Rojas gave the Titans the lead after one after a pair of free throws with 36 seconds left.
Kendra McAninch led the Titans with seven points and the Titans got to the line 10 times, converting eight of them.
Second quarter: The Titans stretched their lead to double-digits with a 10-2 run if the first 2:40 of the quarter. Less than two minutes later Maddie Bertsch extended the lead to its largest at 15 points, 34-19. The Roadrunners immediate cut the lead to eight with a 7-0 run down to the 3:02 mark.
Despite a stretch of cold shooting — only two points over the last 2:39 — the Titans held the Roadrunners scoreless over the final 2:21 and led by 10, 38-28.
The Titans offense was only held back by five turnovers, otherwise their 83.3 percent shooting mark would have yielded more than 22 points. Kendra McAninch added seven more points.
Third quarter: The Roadrunners opened the half with a three to cut the lead to seven in the first 15 seconds. Kendra McAninch scored six of the Titans first eight points to extend the lead back to double-digits, 46-35.
With a nine-point lead, McAninch had to go to the bench due to her third foul with 6:22 remaining. The Roadrunners were only able to get within five, 47-42, despite 20 of the Titans points sitting on the bench. Over the final 4:17 the Titans went on an 8-0 run to close the third with a 13-point lead, 55-42.
The Titans shot 50 percent and used five steals and a plus four rebound advantage to win the quarter 17-14.
Fourth quarter: Megan Fossen's layup 16 seconds into the final quarter matched the Titans largest lead of 15, 57-42. At the 6:35 mark the Roadrunners were able to close within nine points, but a 9-2 Titan run to the 3:51 mark put the game away leading, 67-51.
Megan Fossen led the way with seven points and made all three of the Titans free throws.
What stood out:
58.7 percent shooting: Season-high; the Titans are 3-0 when shooting 50 percent or better … 56 points allowed: 13-0 when conceding fewer than 60 points … 32 rebounds: Fewest in a win … 46 field goal attempts: Tied for fewest (Nov. 17 vs. Lower Columbia, 65-47 loss) … 27 made field goals: 15-3 with 27 or more made field goals … 71 points: 15-2 when reaching the 70 point mark.
Who stood out:
Kendra McAninch: 22 points, six rebounds and one assists; career-high in points; 14-0 when she grabs five rebounds or more … Megan Fossen: 18 points, five rebounds, five steals, two assists and 8-10 from the line; tied a career-high in steals (Jan. 26, 2019 vs. Clackamas, 87-66 win); career-high eight made free throws.
What it means: The Titans move into a tie for second place with Clackamas, but the Titans hold the tie breaker with both seasons wins. The Titans also locked up a playoff berth and will finish second with a win Saturday.
What's next: The Titans (22-6, 11-4) end the season with a home game versus eighth place Clark (6-19, 2-13) on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.