KLAMATH FALLS – Twenty turnovers plagued the Southern Oregon men's basketball team as it lost a sloppy opener 75-62 to Oregon Tech on Friday night at Danny Miles Court.

Elijah Jackson's 29 points and five assists weren't enough as the Owls took advantage of the giveaways and expanded a three-point lead with a 16-3 surge midway through the second half. They finished with a 24-8 edge in points off turnovers.

Jared Sucher posted team-highs of 14 points and seven rebounds for OIT. Kaden Groenig and Dakota Reber had 12 points and three 3-pointers apiece.

Jackson shot 9-of-17 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3, knocking down his first four outside attempts during a 16-point first half. The last of those gave the No. 14-ranked Raiders their final lead at 28-27 with 2:52 left in the period before the Owns went into the break on an 8-2 run.

The Owls, who received votes in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll, shot 49% from the field in their 24th consecutive home-opening victory. The Raiders landed at 38% and struggled from beyond the arc after the break, going 2-of-12 collectively.

Bryce Dyer contributed nine points and eight rebounds for the Raiders. Joe Juhala had six points and six boards.

SOU continues non-conference play next week at the Western Classic in Dillon, Mont., facing No. 11 Montana Tech on Thursday and host Montana Western on Friday.