KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Kam Osborn and Keegan Shivers led five Oregon Tech players in double-figures with 18 points apiece, as the Hustlin' Owls won their 22nd-straight home opener, rolling to a 93-67 victory over Simpson University at Danny Miles Court.
 
OIT (1-0) converted 56-percent of their field goals while recording a commanding 41-27 edge on the glass – improving to 45-0 all-time against the Redhawks.
 
"We did what we wanted to do tonight – sharing the basketball and running the lanes," said OIT head coach Justin Parnell. "Defensively, we held Simpson to 41-percent, which is right where we want to be.
 
The Redhawks (0-1) took a 5-3 lead in the first three minutes – but the hosts countered with a 19-4 run over the next five minutes. Erik Fraser started the rally with his first bucket since last January, Jamison Guerra converted back-to-back lay-ups and Jay Elmore splashed consecutive triples in the flurry. The lead grew to 45-27 late in the half before Tech took a 14-point margin to the locker room.
 
Tech put the game away in the first six minutes of the second half with a 21-6 run. Shivers converted a tough drive and added a long triple, Osborn hit a pair of treys and Kody Bauman added a jumper from point-blank range, as the Owls extended the margin to 70-41.
 
Parnell was pleased with the play of Osborn and Fraser – who each missed the final month and a half of last season due to injury.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
 
"Kam played really well tonight and I thought he was super patient," Parnell said. "To get Fraser 13 minutes after three true practices and for him to get six rebounds – he is only going to get better and better."
 
Shivers led the team with eight rebounds and added four assists, with Osborn going a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line. Guerra had 13 points and six assists, Blake Jensen had 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, with Bauman adding 12 points.
 
Akin Branco led Simpson with 15 points and Sam Shields logged 12 points and six rebounds.
 
The Hustlin' Owls return to the floor next weekend, hosting the Lithia Cascade vs. Crossroads Classic, presented by Cascade Hoops Talk – welcoming Bushnell University, Grace College and Bethel University to the Basin.