CCC leading scorer, Joseph Foster, knocked down a game-high 20 points in 81-62 victory over Concordia to give Oregon Tech a third-straight conference crown. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
No. 8 Oregon Tech Earns Cascade Conference Crown with 81-62 Victory Over Concordia
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The eighth-ranked Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls methodically pulled away from Concordia University in the second half to earn their third straight Cascade Collegiate Conference regular-season title after an 81-62 win tonight at Danny Miles Court.
Oregon Tech moves to 25-4 overall and 15-2 in CCC play. Concordia falls to 11-17 on the season and 5-12 in the CCC.
Oregon Tech earns the #1 seed in CCC tournament play, while the Owls will be making their ninth-straight NAIA II national tournament appearance to Branson, Mo. with the league’s automatic bid to the 32-team tournament.
Mihajlo Matic back-to-back 3-pointers put the Owls up 14-9 with 12:36 remaining in the opening period.
Concordia battled back to tie the game at 16-16, and would take a two point lead on the next possession.
CCC leading scorer, Joseph Foster, hit from long range on Oregon Tech’s next chance and the eighth-ranked Owls would never trail again. Scotty Riddle, back from a recent injury, gave OIT their largest lead of the first half, 31-20, before the home team went to intermission up 38-29.
A David Clarke trey to open the second half scoring put Tech by a dozen and OIT would continue to pull away from the Cavs, winning by an 81-62 final.
Joseph Foster finished with a game-high 20 points followed by 15 from Bryant Sentman in the win for the Owls. Mihajlo Matic added 12 points, while Kyle Gomez grabbed nine boards to go with five points, four assists and three steals.
Kevan West led Concordia with 18 points, while Jourdan Sweeny tallied 14 in the loss for the Cavs.
Oregon Tech hosts No. 22 Warner Pacific to conclude regular-season action tomorrow, before hosting the quarterfinal round of the CCC tournament on Wednesday, February 23rd, beginning at 7 p.m.