PORTLAND, Ore. – Keegan Shivers scored a season-high 25 points and played a key part of a 14-5 run over the final five and a half minutes of the contest, as Oregon Tech rallied to hand Multnomah University their first home loss of the season, a 78-72 decision at Jim Skagen Court.
 
The Hustlin' Owls (6-7, 3-4 CCC) held the hosts to one made field goal over a five-minute stretch late in the contest to remain unbeaten all time on the Lions home floor.
 
"That was a huge win for our team," said Shivers in a postgame interview on 92.5 KLAD-FM. "After a tough loss last night, we knew we had to get this one. Defensively, we made plays down the stretch. That was a true team victory."
 
A pair of Amanda Uchime lay-ups and two Neyland Block free throws gave MU (7-6, 2-5) a 67-64 lead inside the final six minutes, but Tech held the hosts to 1-of-11 shooting and two turnovers over the next five minutes. Joey Potts tied the game with a 3-point play and gave the Hustlin' Owls the lead for good with a thunderous baseline dunk off a pass from Shivers. Kody Bauman converted inside and following a defensive technical foul, Shivers connected from the line, as the Owls extended the lead to 73-67 – and made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
 
Tech started the night quickly, riding seven early points from Bauman, to take a 14-7 lead in the first five minutes. The Lions countered, getting consecutive steals and baskets from Zach Richardson, part of a 9-0 surge, that gave the hosts their largest lead at 34-26 and held a 42-37 lead at the break. Triples from Shivers and Kam Osborn, along with a Bauman bucket, fueled an 8-0 run to open the second half by OIT – setting up the back-and-forth final period.
 
Shivers made 5-of-9 3-pointers in the win, adding six rebounds and three assists. Bauman had his first double-double as a Hustlin' Owl, posting season-highs with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Potts scored 10 points, with seven boards and five blocks; Jamison Guerra logged nine points and seven assists; with Kaison Faust adding eight rebounds.
 
Block led the Lions with 21 points and Tyrese Taylor finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds, but MU was held to a season-low 4-of-26 shooting from 3-point range and ended the night making just 34-percent of their field goal tries.
 
Tech returns home Friday night for a key match-up against Corban University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.