via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
College of Idaho 82, Oregon Tech 76
Add another chapter to the legacy that is the Oregon Tech-College of Idaho men’s basketball rivalry. Before a crowd of over 2,000 fans, Drew Wyman converted 4-straight free throws inside the final 25 seconds and C of I earned a key defensive stop to claim an 82-76 victory over the Hustlin’ Owls at Danny Miles Court.
The match-up of the league leaders lived up to its billing, as the No. 5-ranked Coyotes (17-2, 12-1 CCC) saw a 9-point lead vanish in the waning moments – but used a stellar 23-of-28 shooting clip from the foul line to survive in the hostile environment.
C of I used a 9-2 run, capped by a Wyman driving lay-up, to take a 75-66 lead with two minutes remaining, but the Hustlin’ Owls (14-4, 10-2) answered with a run of their own. Keegan Shivers converted a 10-footer in the paint and Jamison Guerra made 2-of-3 free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. While Tyler Robinett split four free throws for the Yotes, Kam Osborn canned back-to-back 3’s to pull Tech within 77-76 with 26 seconds left.
Following Wyman’s first two free throws, Osborn was unable to convert a driving lay-up at the other end – with Wyman closing out the game from the stripe.
The visitors took their largest lead of the night in the first half, as a Samaje Morgan 3-point play gave the Coyotes a 30-19 lead. Tech answered with a 9-0 run, including a Grant Tull corner 3-ball and jumpers from Osborn and Erik Fraser to get back in the contest.
Osborn tied the game at 36-36 with a long triple late in the half, with the Hustlin’ Owls building a 50-46 second half lead after consecutive inside baskets from Blake Jensen and Jackson Cooper. Unfortunately for Tech, C of I rattled off 12-straight points, including two baskets from Morgan and a Tyler Robinett 3-pointer to regain control.
Osborn led all players with 21 points, Keegan Shivers scored 20 and Guerra scoring 13 points, pulling down a career-high 11 rebounds along with six assists.
Johnny Radford led C of I with 18 points, Wyman scored 17 and Morgan finished with 16 points and eight assists.
Oregon Tech 85, Eastern Oregon 84
Blake Jensen swished two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining, lifting Oregon Tech to an 85-84 victory over Eastern Oregon before a near capacity Pink Out crowd at Danny Miles Court.
After EOU (13-7, 8-6 CCC) took an 84-83 lead with 14 seconds left on a tough T.J. Doman runner, Tech got a second chance at a winner when Erik Fraser secured an offensive rebound of a missed 3-point attempt with four seconds left. Following a lengthy replay discussion, the Owls found a driving Jensen off an inbound pass, who was fouled on a dunk attempt.
“While the officials were at the monitor, Coach (Mitchell) Fink reminded me of an inbound play that had worked in the past,” said OIT head coach Justin Parnell. “The action went away from the baseline and Blake slipped to the basket.”
Eastern had three inbound opportunities in the final two seconds – as Jamison Guerra and Dakota Reber deflected the first two chances. Guerra tipped the final pass near mid court – not allowing the visitors to get a final shot off before the final horn.
EOU jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead on the strength of three Malachi Afework baskets, but the Owls (15-4, 11-2) rallied behind two Jay Elmore 3-pointers to pull even at 19-19.
Tied 41-41 at the break, two Kam Osborn triples gave the Owls their biggest lead at 51-46, but Garrett Hawkes rallied EOU, hitting consecutive tough jumpers to square the score at 56-56 with 12 minutes remaining.
Six ties and seven lead changes followed – with neither team leading by more than four.
Hawkes gave the Mounties an 80-78 lead with a minute left, converting a tough runner on the right side of the lane. Tech answered with two Guerra free throws, before Afework scored off an inbound pass to give the visitors the lead. OIT responded, as Keegan Shivers splashed a long 3-pointer with 28 seconds left, giving the Owls an 83-82 lead – setting up the finish.
Osborn led OIT with 18 points, with Guerra, Shivers and Jensen all scoring 15. The Owls won despite making just 35% of their field goals, but ended the night 29-of-34 from the line – with Guerra and Osborn each making all eight of their free throw attempts.
Hawkes scored a game-high 26 points and Afework scored a season-high 25 in the loss for EOU, who fell despite making nearly 55% of their field goals.
The Owls hit the road for 3-straight games, beginning Friday at Evergreen State.
