KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Warrior men's basketball team(5-2) was looking forward to facing off with familiar showdown opponent Oregon Tech(3-2) in their first matchup at the Midland Empire Classic after a double-overtime win in their last meeting at the Bill Holtz Classic, but struggled from the field down the stretch in a 66-61 loss. 

"We competed very hard tonight and came close to beating a terrific OIT team on the road with a terrible shooting performance," head coach Lance Von Vogt commented.

Through the first 8 minutes of play the Warriors maintained a slight advantage, but the Owls remained in the shadow tying it up at the 12-minute mark. Oregon Tech would control the lead through the remainder of the first half, leading by as much as 7 points before freshman Brandon Lindsey ended the half with a basket from downtown.

At the end of the first half, the Warriors managed to minimize the damage from shooting only 30% from the field and behind the three-point line, trailing the Owls by just four at 38-34 headed into halftime.

The offensive struggle continued for the Warriors in the second half, but they regained the lead just 4 minutes in with a jumper by leading scorer Lindsey, Jessup led by 1 (41-40). Each team would counter the other's basket, giving the OIT crowd a sense of the previous matchup that was a slugfest down the stretch in Warrior Arena.

The Warriors would hold the small-margin lead with a little less than 4 minutes to play before Oregon Tech would take a 58-57 advantage and ride it out down the stretch.  Jessup would play the foul game, sending the Owls to the line for the remaining minute of the game. Chris Murry hit a clutch shot from beyond the 3-point line to come within three with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, but the Owls answered back on the other end to solidify the win 66-61.

"Overall we will learn from this. We didn't play smart or execute very well," reflected Von Vogt. "OIT had a lot to do with that, but this will pay huge dividends during conference play."

Jessup will close out competition tomorrow in Klamath Falls, Ore. taking on Southern Oregon for the first time this season at 3pm.

"I am excited to see how we respond to this tough loss tomorrow when we suit up against a very talented SOU squad," coach Von Vogt concluded.
  William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).