SOU-OIT Photo Gallery (BUY THESE PHOTOS)

Justin Parnell went for 23 points to lead the seventh-ranked Oregon Tech men to a 72-71 victory over Southern Oregon tonight at McNeal Pavilion.

The Owls improved to 18-3 overall and 7-2 in Cascade Conference play. Southern Oregon dropped to 9-9 overall and 1-8 conference action. The Raiders host College of Idaho next Friday night.

Parnell had 12 of his 23 points in the second half to lead the Oregon Tech comeback. Kyle Gomez, Andy Siverly and Joseph Foster each had 11 points for the Owls.

Humphrey Jackson (Redwood City, Calif./Woodside) led SOU with 13 points, while David Grant (Seattle, Wash./Seattle Roosevelt) finished with 12 and Austin Wolfer (Woodburn, Ore./Woodburn) had 11.

After trailing 38-35 at the half, the Raiders rallied in the second half and took a 43-42 lead on a Drew Herrera (Medford, Ore./North Medford) jumper with 13:46 to play.

Roland Johnson (Yuba City, Calif./Yuba) put the Raiders up six at 48-42 with 11:41 left and the Raiders held the lead until the 5:38 mark with Gomez knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Owls the lead back at 60-59.

The Owls pushed the lead to 68-61 until it was the Raiders' turn to come back.

Southern Oregon responded with seven straight points to tie the game at 68-68 with 53 seconds to play, but Parnell rescued the Owls with a contested jumper and Foster added a pair of free throws to give the Owls the victory.

Joe White (Springfield, Ore./Thurston) hit a 3-pointer with just over a second to play to make the final margin 72-71.