PORTLAND, Ore. – In arguably their best performance as members of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Multnomah University men's basketball team fell just short against the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech, losing 82-79 on Friday night on Jim Skagen Court.
 
The Lions (4-17, 1-12 CCC) outscored Oregon Tech (17-5, 8-5 CCC) in the second half 51-48 but couldn't overcome a first half shooting percentage (.321).
 
Senior guard Blake Updike led the offense for MU, recording 22 points including three shots from behind the arc and added three steals. Freshman Ben Grandle added 17 points of his own thanks to a perfect performance from the 3-point line, going 5-fo-5 from deep. Thomas Simien added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Lions.
 
As a team, MU hit 12 threes on the night and finished 17-24 from the free throw line.
 
Down 72-60, the Lions closed out the second half of play on a 19-10 run to come within three points of the Owls. With three seconds to play and the score at 82-79, OIT missed a three throw, giving MU the opportunity for a last chance bucket but they couldn't find it as they fall to the Owls for the second time this season.
 
OIT was led by Joel Yellow Owl who tallied 24 points off of 11-of-14 shooting, while Lavar Moore added 15 points and Andrew Weber finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Oregon Tech controlled the boards, earning a rebounding advantage of 45 to 33.
 
The Lions finish off the home stand tomorrow night as they welcome in the Raiders of Southern Oregon at 7:30 p.m. on Jim Skagen Court.