via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
ASHLAND, Ore. – Oregon Tech limited Southern Oregon to one made field goal over the final five minutes of the contest, as back-to-back Blake Jensen baskets broke a 64-64 tie, helping the Hustlin’ Owls win the 253rd meeting of the longtime rivals, 72-68, at Lithia Motors Pavilion.
Jensen grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer and converted a jump hook to give OIT (20-6, 16-4 CCC) the lead. Following a miss on SOU’s next possession, Jamison Guerra made a perfect pass in transition to Jensen for a driving basket, extending the margin to 68-64.
Guerra put the game out of reach late, converted a fadeaway 10-footer in traffic with 45 seconds left to make it 70-65, while following a Raiders (17-9, 12-8) miss, made two free throws to ice the contest.
OIT grabbed a 21-16 first half lead, as Keegan Shivers drained a long 3-pointer and knocked down a runner in the point in a 9-2 run. Southern answered with a 14-2 run of their own – including 3’s from Mason Whittaker and Bryce Dyer, taking a 30-23 lead.
The Owls would play catch-up, tying the game at 38-38 and 43-43, before Jackson Cooper hit two free throws midway through the second to stake Tech to a 54-53 lead. The two teams would trade the lead nine times before Jensen’s late rally.
Jensen ended the night with 18 points and eight rebounds, with Shivers scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds. Guerra had 12 points and six assists in the Owls fifth-straight win on SOU’s home floor.
Elijah Jackson scored 18 points and Dyer ended the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
OIT closes out the home regular-season with games Friday vs. Multnomah and Saturday vs. Warner Pacific
