CORVALLIS, Ore. – Three CCC teams continue to the second round of the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.
College of Idaho def. UC Merced, 59-46
College of Idaho defeated University of California, Merced, in the first round of the NAIA Tournament by a final score of 59-46. Samaje Morgan led the C of I scoring effort with 13 points, four assists and two steals and Johnny Radford added 10 points. The Yotes added 41 rebounds, made 11-of-15 free throws, and 15 points off the bench. Saturday at 7 p.m., College of Idaho will host Friends University (Kan.).
Oregon Tech def. Indiana Tech, 87-78
Oregon Tech defeated Indiana Tech with a 83-74 victory. Keegan Shivers led the Owls with 20 points and Jamison Guerra added 11 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. OIT made half its three point shots, 40 rebounds, 30 points in the paint, and 24 points from the bench. Saturday at 5 p.m., Oregon Tech will face Arizona Christian University in Glendale, Arizona.
Southern Oregon University def. Montana Tech University, 84-81
Southern Oregon edged out Montana Tech, in the first round of the NAIA Tournament by a final score of 84-81. Gabe Reichle tallied 21 points to lead the Raiders. Elijah Jackson added 19 points and Joe Juhala made 12 points. SOU recorded a 12-of-22 performance from 3-point range which enabled them to build a 22-point lead, and they made six consecutive free throws over the final 13 seconds. The Raiders shot 55 percent and committed just seven turnovers. Saturday at 6 p.m., Southern Oregon will face The Master's in Santa Clarita, California.
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) def. Lewis-Clark State College, 81-73
Saint Francis outlasted Lewis-Clark State in the first round of the NAIA Tournament by a final score of 81-73. Kasen Carpenter paced the Warriors with 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from 3-point range while Alton Hamilton notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Warriors ended its season with an overall record of 24-8.