Kyle Gomez scored a game-high 28 points, including 15 in the first half to lift Oregon Tech to an 89-78 win over No. 8 Eastern Oregon. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
No.13 Oregon Tech Earns 89-78 Victory Over No. 8 Eastern Oregon
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - In a battle of Cascade Conference unbeatens, and NAIA top-15 teams, it was No. 13 Oregon Tech taking down No. 8 Eastern Oregon University 89-78 tonight at Danny Miles Court. The victory gives Oregon Tech 45-straight home wins, while Eastern Oregon has yet to win a basketball game in Klamath Falls since 1979. The Owls move to 12-2 on the season and remain undefeated in Conference play with a 4-0 mark. Eastern Oregon falls to 11-2 and 3-1 in CCC play.
The game was closer than the score appeared, as Oregon Tech used a 13-2 run to break a 76-76 tie with four minutes remaining in the game.
Back-to-back 3-point field goals gave the Mountaineers and early lead to start things, before the Owls’ Kyle Gomez answered with a triple of his own to give the Owls their first lead of the contest, 9-8 just three minutes in.
The teams would trade baskets over the next 15 minutes, including nine ties, before the Owls jumped up five, 42-37, with 1:22 in the first half.
EOU hit from long range on the next possession, but a Kyle Gomez layup as the first half buzzer sounded put Oregon Tech up 44-40 at intermission.
Gomez started the second half where he left off, this time connecting on a 23-footer to give the Owls a 47-40 advantage.
EOU would eventually tie the game at 57-57 and move out to a slim 65-64 lead midway through the second half.
Gomez gave the lead back to the Owls on a layup, but EOU battled back to tie it up at 69-all with seven minutes to play.
A Joseph Foster jumper and Gomez trey put Tech up 74-69, but the Mountaineers came up with a 7-2 run to tie it at 76-76 with four minutes remaining.
Foster came up big in the clutch hitting a baseline 10-footer and next getting to the basket for a layup, giving the Owls an 80-76 edge. The Owls would take a six point lead with 1:11 on the clock and would eventually ice the game on free-throws when EOU was forced to foul.
Kyle Gomez scored 15 of his game-high 28 points in the first half, including a 6-of-9 effort from long range. Gomez also grabbed six rebounds, two key in the last minute of play, to go with five assists in the win. Joseph Foster finished 8-for-15 from the floor for 18 points, while Brent Johnson netted 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds, with six coming on the offensive end. Matt Smith added 10 points, while Scotty Riddle came up with nine points off the bench.
JC Cook led the Mountaineer offense with 19 points, followed by Thomas McCarthy with 15. Jason Mumm finished with 13 points and Jamar Johnson added 10.