Oregon Tech's Bryan Beard scored 12 points in loss to Warner Pacific. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Falls to Warner Pacific, 87-80
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Tech fell behind by 21 points in the first half and never recovered, falling to Warner Pacific College tonight in Cascade Collegiate Conference men’s basketball action by an 87-80 score.
Oregon Tech falls to 10-4 overall and are now 1-4 in CCC play. WPC improved to 9-4 on the year and perfect in CCC action at 5-0.
Oregon Tech took the first lead of the game, on an administrative technical foul prior to the tip, but after Taylor Young connected from the 3-point line on WPC’s first possession the Owls trailed for the remainder.
Four minutes in WPC jumped up by double-digits and next took their first 21 point advantage midway through the first period. The Knights, with 4:50 on the clock, maintained the same lead, 40-19, before Tech made a charge.
Brandon Halter capped a 13-5 run connecting from long range, drawing the Hustlin’ Owls to within 13 points, 45-32.
WPC, however, hit a 3-pointer to close out the half with the Owls trailing 48-32 at the break.
Oregon Tech clawed back into the contest, cutting their deficit to nine points on three occasions, the last on a Joel Yellow Owl score with 8:12 to go, 69-60.
The Knights, however, used the next six minutes to build a commanding 17 point lead, 84-67, with just 2:06 remaining.
Oregon Tech would close out the game on a 13-3 run for the final 87-80 margin.
Joel Yellow Owl shared game-high honors after netting 20 points in the loss. Brandon Halter followed with 16 points with Derek Evans adding 13 points and Bryan Beard 12. Yellow Owl, Evans and Beard grabbed seven rebounds each with Austen Flint recording nine assists.
Taylor Young scored 20 points to lead the Knights with Earl Jones notching 19 in the win. Franky Johnson added 16 points and Collin Malcolm 10 points for WPC. De’Jon Bowman grabbed a game-high nine rebounds with Jones handing out three assists.
Oregon Tech finished 31-of-71 (43.7%) from the floor and 9-for-25 from the 3-point line. WPC held a 36-33 advantage on the boards.
WPC shot 60.0% overall on 33-of-55 and 13-for-21 from beyond the arch.
Oregon Tech will host Multnomah University tomorrow with the tip set for 7:30. WPC travels to Southern Oregon University on Thursday.