Kyle Gomez had 17 points to lead OIT to win
CALDWELL, Idaho - Bobby Hunter and Kyle Gomez combined for 11 points in a 13-2 run to open the second half, as No. 3 ranked Oregon Tech stopped The College of Idaho, 68-59, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
Leading 26-23 at the break, the Owls (13-1, 3-0 CCC) got a Hunter lay-in and a trio of Gomez free throws to push the margin to 31-23. Gomez added a jumper, Hunter a pair of free throws, and a David Clarke driving bucket to give OIT a 39-25 edge, one they would never relinquish.
The Coyotes (5-9, 0-3) held OIT to 2-of-13 shooting and five turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game, taking a 13-6 lead on a Zach Peterson three-pointer. However, Tech got a pair of buckets from Jason Gamblin and a trey from Gomez, part of a 9-0 run, to take their first lead of the night at 15-13. Four ties would ensue before a Clarke triple in the final minute gave the visitors the lead at the break.
Gomez led OIT with 17 points and seven rebounds, with Hunter adding 14 points and six boards. Clarke had 13 points in the win, with Gamblin notching 10 points and 12 rebounds - part of a commanding 40-25 edge on the glass for the Owls.
Matt Ballenger led the Yotes with 17 points, while both Peterson and Van Lith each scored 11 off the bench. The C of I was forced into 18 turnovers.
The Coyotes return to action, hosting Southern Oregon tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.