KLAMATH FALLS – Southern Oregon led for most of the first half but faded down the stretch in an 86-71 season-opening loss to Oregon Tech on Friday afternoon at Danny Miles Court.
The Owls, playing their fifth game, rode senior Garret Albrecht's career-high 32 points. The senior forward shot 13-of-16 from the field and pulled down 11 rebounds, helping OIT improve to 4-1.
Junior forward
Josh Meyer posted a double-double in an impressive debut for the Raiders, scoring 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting with three 3-pointers and collecting 11 rebounds.
Jake Virga added 12 points and
Brad Allen scored 11 off the bench.
The Raiders jumped out to a 15-9 lead and were up for 15 minutes in the first half, which Albrecht ended with a 3-pointer before the buzzer to put the Owls in front 40-35.
Back-to-back 3s from
Tez Allen and Meyer pulled the Raiders within 60-55 midway through the second half before the Owls pulled away with a 9-0 spurt.
Allen pitched in seven points and 12 rebounds.
The Raiders and Owls will rematch at 2 p.m. Saturday.