via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
ASHLAND, Ore. – Gio Evanson hit a step-back 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining, capping a 9-2 Southern Oregon run inside the final two minutes, as the Raiders topped Oregon Tech, 68-67, at Lithia Motors Pavilion.
The Hustlin’ Owls (12-5, 7-2 CCC) held a 65-59 lead with two minutes left – but SOU connected on 3-straight 3-pointers – two from Evanson – to take the lead.
Jackson Cooper, who led Tech with 23 points, had three chances to win it for OIT in the final five seconds, but Evanson and Brady Rice blocked shots and Cooper’s final attempt missed right of the target at the final horn.
Grant Tull got the Owls going in the first half, scoring 5-straight points in a 9-2 run, with a Gylan Payne 3-point play giving the visitors a 23-13 lead. The Raiders (10-7, 7-2) closed the period on a 17-4 run, getting 3’s from Bryce Dyer and Emmett Fenz, to take a 40-35 lead to the locker room.
Cooper took over, scoring 10-straight points for the Owls to give Tech a 51-49 lead and hit a pair of free throws to give OIT the 65-59 lead late. Evanson would start the Southern flurry with a triple and following two additional Cooper freebies, Elijah Jackson stopped an 0-for-6 night from 3-point range with a 25-footer to pull the Raiders within two.
After a baseline runner by Cooper rattled out, SOU turned to Evanson, who created enough space on the right wing to get the contested 22-footer off, rattling it home for the lead.
Tech had a chance to win, as Cooper drove to the basket with five seconds left, but Evanson blocked the shot and following the rebound, Brady Rice knocked a second attempt away. In the flurry, Cooper regained the ball on the block and got a shot off before time expired, but it was off the mark.
Dakota Reber had 17 points and Payne posted nine points and nine rebounds in the loss. Tech made 44% of their field goals as the Owls fell to 1-4 this season when failing to score 75 points.
Dyer had 13 points and Evanson scored all 10 of his points after halftime. The Raiders bench outscored OIT reserves, 28-5.
The Owls close out the first half of the conference season Saturday with a date at Warner Pacific.
