KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Lavar Moore scored a game-high 32 points to lead Oregon Tech to a 77-74 victory over second-ranked College of Idaho tonight at Danny Miles Court.
The win for the Owls (8-5, 1-2 CCC) ended a three-game losing streak to C of I and stopped a Coyote 14-game Cascade Conference win streak dating back to last season.
The Yotes (13-2, 2-1) used an 11-0 run midway through the second half, capped by a Josh Wilson three-pointer, to take their largest lead of the night at 61-51. On their next possession, OIT used a five-point play – as Sherman Simpson was fouled on a made basket, with Duncan Schramm getting the rebound of the ensuing missed free throw, finding Brandon Bautista for a three – getting the Owls back in the game.
Trailing 67-62, Tech used an 11-2 spurt over a three-minute stretch, including two Josh Johnson three-pointers, to take a 73-69 lead with 1:40 remaining. C of I would close the gap to two on a pair of occasions, but missed a game-tying shot in the waning seconds.
Moore was 10-of-20 from the field, including four three-pointers, in the victory – scoring seven points in a 14-2 first half run that built OIT a 19-11 lead. C of I would counter with back-to-back three-pointers by Wilson and Joey Nebeker, taking a 28-27 edge at the break – despite making just 29-percent of their field goal tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Marko Kovacevik led the Yotes with 21 points and eight rebounds, as C of I had a 50-38 edge on the glass – including 15 offensive boards. Nebeker had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists; Sydney Donaldson had 15 points; and Wilson logged 10 points and nine rebounds.
Kyle Waits had nine points and 11 rebounds for OIT; Simpson had nine points; and Johnson adding eight points and six rebounds. Tech hit 6-of-10 three-point baskets in the second half.
The Yotes will be back in action tomorrow night, traveling to nationally-ranked Southern Oregon at 7:30 p.m. (PT)
