KIRKLAND, Wash. – Jackson Cooper converted a 3-point play with 41 seconds remaining to give Oregon Tech a two-possession lead, as the Hustlin' Owls outlasted Northwest University, 79-75, inside Kristi Brodin Pavilion.
 
Cooper scored a game-high 31 points, as the No. 21-ranked Owls (14-5, 9-2 CCC) withstood a second half run by the Eagles to claim the key road victory. The junior converted 15-of-24 field goals, adding seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
 
Dakota Reber had 23 points in the win for OIT, as he and Cooper combined for all 12 points in a 12-3 first half run that gave the Owls a 36-27 lead with four minutes left in the period. NU (6-13, 3-8) answered in a big way, hitting four 3-pointers in a 21-6 run spanning an eight-minute period between the halves, as the hosts took a 49-42 lead with 16 minutes left.
 
While Tech clamped down defensively – holding NU 33% shooting after the break – the offense responded. Gylan Payne hit a pair of 3's and Reber converted a tough 3-point play, part of a 14-3 run that gave the Owls a 62-57 edge.
 
The lead grew to 72-64 on a Cooper basket – but the Eagles had one last push – cutting the deficit to 74-73 on a pair of Logan Stempniak free throws a minute remaining. Tech turned to Cooper, who drove baseline, converting a lay-up while getting fouled – hitting the free throw to give the Owls a 77-73.
 
Ethan Martin got NU within 77-75 with two freebies, but Jared Sucher answered with two free throws with 11 seconds left and the Owls got a defensive stop to clinch the win.
 
Payne scored all 11 of his points after the break and Grant Tull added nine in the victory – as OIT improved to 7-0 this season when making 50% of their field goals (31-of-61 in the win).
 
Trent Williams scored 16 and Andrew Iyamah had 15 in the loss for NU – as the Owls held the Eagles to 36% shooting on the night.
 
Tech closes out a 4-game road trip tomorrow afternoon at Evergreen State.