Midland Empire Insurance Classic MVP, Joseph Foster, had back-to-back 26 point nights to lead the Owls to an 86-54 win over Pacific Union. This is Foster's second tournament MVP selection this season. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Rolls Past Pioneers, 86-54
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – No. 9 ranked Oregon Tech opened up with a 10-0 run and did not look back, as the Hustlin’ Owls rolled past Pacific Union 86-54 in day 2 of the Midland Empire Insurance Classic tonight at Danny Miles Court.
Oregon Tech improves to 5-1 on the year and now holds a streak of 42-consecutive wins at home. Pacific Union drops to 1-6 overall.
The Owls used a 10-0 run to open the game, before Pacific Union climbed back in it and cut the Owl lead down to 27-22 with 4:30 remaining in the opening period. Oregon Tech then went on a 16-2 run to close out the half, leading the Pioneers at the intermission 44-24.
A Joseph Foster 3-pointer with just over 16 minutes remaining in the game gave the Owls their first 30 point cushion, 57-26.
Pacific Union could get no closer than 24 points at the midway point of the second half, as the Owls would eventually win by a final of 86-54. The 32 point margin was the largest lead of the game.
Joseph Foster, the Midland Empire Insurance Classic MVP, led Tech a second straight night in scoring with another 26 point effort. Foster was 7-for-13 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from long range and 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Alex Zerbach and Matt Smith tallied 12 points, with Smith tying a game-high with five assists. All-tournament selection, Kyle Gomez, netted 11 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists, while Brent Johnson and Mijahlo Matic settled for nine points each.
Aren Rennacker finished with a team-high 13 points for the Pioneers, while Danny Sepulveda knocked in 10 points on a 5-for-6 effort from the floor.
Oregon Tech will visit Cal Pac opponent Simpson University in Redding, Calif. on Wednesday before traveling to Ashland to the Southern Oregon University Invitational on Friday and Saturday.