Oregon Tech Survives Eastern Oregon Comeback

The Hustiln Owls of Oregon Tech, ranked #3 in the NAIA Div. ll Top 25, jumped out to a 20 point lead and were seemingly cruising to an easy victory over #18 ranked Eastern Oregon University.

However, poor free throw shooting by Oregon Tech in the second half opened the door for EOU to mount a huge comeback, cutting O.I.T's lead to one point with under a minute left. The Hustlin Owls held on to win 72-67, giving Head Coach Danny Miles victory #895 on his storied coaching career. Up until Oregon Tech Senior Guard Justin Parnell sank two critical free throws with under 30 seconds left, plus 2 at the end of the game, the Hustlin Owls were 13-28 from the free throw line. Teams that shoot around 50% from the foul line lose games much more often than they win.

As for Eastern Oregon, they shot brilliantly from the charity stripe. They were 20-24 for 83%. If O.I.T hadn't built up a big lead in the first half, Danny Miles would probably have to have waited to get win #895.
Oregon Tech officially finished 17-32 from the foul line. What helped save Oregon Tech in this game was their being able to force 13 turnovers from the Mountaineers to Oregon Tech's 6. This game is one big example of the importance of foul shooting.EOU's excellent foul shooting gave them a chance while Oregon Tech's poor foul shooting nearly did them in.
One other footnote to this game. Eastern Oregon came into this game with a 30 game losing streak to Oregon Tech at the Hustlin Owls' home court. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, that streak is now at 31, possibility a national record.

If the Hustlin Owls want to win another conference title, let alone another national championship, they must improve their woeful free throw shooting. "We came inot this game shooing 74% on the season. If we had made 7 more foul shots, we would have won this game by 12 against a very good team", O.I.T. Head Coach Danny Miles said.
Shooting as low as 50% from the foul line won't get it done in the rugged Cascade Collegiate Athletic Conference, arguably the toughest conference in the nation at the NAIA Div. ll level.