via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Gylan Payne continued his amazing rookie campaign, scoring a season-high 20 points, helping Oregon Tech end a two-game losing streak with an 87-68 win over Our Lady of the Lake in the final game of the Lithia Classic at Danny Miles Court.
The win for the Hustlin’ Owls (3-2) marked the 800th all-time win in the Athletic Center – the first game for the club in 2025-26 against an unranked opponent.
OLLU (2-3) made it interesting early on, converting seven of their first eight shots, including four consecutive 3’s, with a Matthew Gonzalez 3-pointer giving the Saints a 22-11 advantage.
Tech flipped the script with a 23-7 run, getting 10 points in the flurry from Grant Tull, giving the hosts a 34-29 lead. The Texas school answered themselves, as Kenyon Elliott canned a long 3-pointer and a 3-point play, capping a 10-0 run to give the Saints a 39-34 lead with four minutes left in the half.
From there, the well ran dry for OLLU, as the Owls limited the opposition to one made field goal over the next 12 minutes spanning the two periods. Dakota Reber had a lay-up and a late 3-pointer to give Tech a 43-39 lead at the half, while Payne continued the run with eight points early in the second half, as the 25-2 run gave OIT a 59-41 lead.
Tech put the game away with another 15-4 run, as Reber started and ended the run with long 3-pointers, as the lead ballooned to 81-53.
Payne added eight rebounds and four steals in the victory, with Reber scoring a season-high 17 points. Tull had a career-high 14 points, with Jackson Cooper ending the night with 14 points and nine assists. The Owls finished the game making 53% of their field goals, including 9-of-19 from 3-point range.
Elliott led OLLU with 21 points and six assists.
Tech returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Simpson at 7:30 for Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce Night.