KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Junior transfer Joey Potts (Oregon State) scored an Oregon Tech career high 17 points to lead the Hustlin' Owls past the Mountaineers 80-71 Saturday night at Danny Miles Court.
 
Oregon Tech improves to 3-0 to start Cascade Conference play and 6-5 overall while Eastern Oregon falls to 0-3 in conference and 5-5 overall with the loss.
 
"I am just really proud of our guys and the grit they played with this weekend," said head coach Justin Parnell. "Having Matt and Kellen back from injuries just adds so much toughness to our team. At times we really guarded the perimeter well this week but more importantly played at our pace."
 
The Owls started hot, shooting 60% in the first half on 18-of-30 including 5-of-13 from long range to take a 44-36 lead into the halftime break.
 
Eastern Oregon shot the ball better in the second stanza making 15-of-24 attempts led by Phillip Malatare who had 22 of his game high 28 in the 2^nd half.
 
The Owls managed to hold off the EOU attack as the OIT bench out-scored the Mounties 23-7 in the 2^nd half and 40-22 in the game thanks in large part to Potts who had 12 of his 17 points in the final period.
 
The Owls took their largest lead of 14 with 3:17 remaining to win going away 80-71.
 
After Potts, Jamison Guerra added 12 points also off the bench, while starter Scotty Burge chipped in 11 points including 3-of-6 from long range.  
 
After the 28 from Malatare, EOU was led by 17 points from Xavier Lovelace and 11 points from red-shirt freshman Cooper Lumsden.
 
Tech returns to action Dec. 17 against Corban University at 7:30 p.m. at Danny Miles Court.
 
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