via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Hope International withstood an Oregon Tech second half rally, outscoring the Hustlin’ Owls 8-0 over the final 90 seconds, as the No. 23-ranked Royals outlasted No. 19-ranked OIT, 85-79, at Danny Miles Court to end Day 1 of the Lithia Classic.
HIU (4-0), who did not arrive to the Basin until an hour before game time due to flight cancellations, saw a 14-point lead evaporate – but got back-to-back baskets from reserve forward Aman Hayes inside the final minute to break a 79-79 tie.
The California school rode a monster first half from Nick Hopkins, scoring 10 points, capped by a 3-pointer, in a 17-5 run that gave the Royals a 41-27 lead with five minutes left in the period.
The No. 19-ranked Hustlin’ Owls (2-2), battled back, as dunks from Jackson Cooper and Gylan Payne bookended a 15-4 Tech run to close the period, pulling the hosts within 45-42 at the half.
OIT trailed 61-54 with 11 minutes left – but whittled the lead to 64-63 and 68-67 – before finally pulling even at 76-76 on a Jared Sucher 3-pointer. The Owls finally regained the lead on a Dakota Reber 3-point play with 91 seconds left at 79-77.
The Royals, unfortunately, had the answer. Addy G’Day converted two free throws and following a defensive stop, Haynes scored on the block to give HIU an 81-79 lead. Tech had a chance to regain the lead, but a Kaden Groenig triple rimmed out – with Jorren Edwards launching a long pass to the streaking Haynes for an uncontested lay-up to put the game away.
Cooper scored a career-high 29 points, adding eight rebounds and five assists in the loss for the Owls, with Sucher canning 4-of-6 3-pointers, part of an 18-point night. Reber had 15 and Payne finished with six points, three rebounds, four blocks and three steals.
Hopkins scord 26 points for HIU, converting 8-of-9 field goals in the first half, with G’Bye scoring 16. The Royals made 55% of their field goals, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range.
In the early game, Southern Oregon held Our Lady of the Lake to 32% shooting, riding a 16-point performance from Gio Evenson in an 83-56 victory.