KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Warner Pacific jumped out to a 21 point lead over Oregon Tech before the game was ten minutes old, then coasted to an 87-80 win over the Owls on the road tonight.
Oregon Tech falls to 10-4 overall and are now 1-4 in CCC play. WPC improved to 9-4 on the year and perfect in CCC action at 5-0.
Oregon Tech took the first lead of the game, on an administrative technical foul prior to the tip, but
Taylor Young connected from the 3-point line on WPC's first possession and the Knights never trailed again.
Four minutes in WPC jumped up by double-digits and took their first 21 point advantage midway through the first period. The Knights, with 4:50 on the clock, maintained the same lead, 40-19, before Tech made a charge.
Brandon Halter capped a 13-5 run by connecting from long range, drawing the Hustlin' Owls to within 13 points, 45-32.
Franky Johnson hit a 3-pointer to close out the half to give the Knights a 48-32 advantage at the break.
Oregon Tech clawed back into the contest, cutting their deficit to nine points on three occasions, the last on a Joel Yellow Owl score with 8:12 to go, 69-60.
The Knights, however, used the next six minutes to build a commanding 17 point lead, 84-67, with just 2:06 remaining. Oregon Tech would close out the game on a 13-3 run for the final 87-80 margin.
Joel Yellow Owl shared game-high honors after netting 20 points in the loss. Brandon Halter followed with 16 points with Derek Evans adding 13 points and Bryan Beard 12. Yellow Owl, Evans and Beard grabbed seven rebounds each with Austen Flint recording nine assists.
Taylor Young scored 20 points to lead the Knights with
Earl Jones notching 19 in the win.
Franky Johnson added 16 points and
Collin Malcolm 10 points for WPC.
De'Jon Bowman grabbed a game-high nine rebounds with Jones handing out three assists.
Oregon Tech finished 31-of-71 (43.7%) from the floor and 9-for-25 from the 3-point line. WPC held a 36-33 advantage on the boards.
WPC shot 60.0% overall on 33-of-55 and 13-for-21 from beyond the arch.
Oregon Tech will host Multnomah University tomorrow with the tip set for 7:30. WPC travels to Southern Oregon University on Thursday.