KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University men's basketball team cut a 23-point second-half deficit to single digits in the final minutes, but ultimately suffered a 78-71 setback to Oregon Tech on Sunday evening at Danny Miles Court.

The hometown crowd in Klamath Falls saw Danny Miles' last home contest, as the coaching legend bode farewell after 45 seasons with the Owls. 

KEY PERFORMANCES
Junior guard Kentrell Washington was everywhere for EOU, as he racked up 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. Meanwhile, freshman guard Caulin Bakalarski netted a career-best 27 points in just 22 minutes off the bench, including seven triples.

Lavar Moore carried Oregon Tech with 31 points on 11-for-24 shooting.

THE STORYLINE
EOU (14-15, 9-10 CCC) held Oregon Tech to just one field goal in the opening eight minutes and built a 10-5 advantage after a jumper by Washington.

Both Moore and Joel Yellow Owl combined to score the next 11 points to help the Owls snag a 16-14 advantage, but the Mountaineers continued to hang around, ultimately regaining a one-point lead (19-18) after a triple by Bakalarski.

The two teams combined for a dismal 4-for-12 shooting effort in the final four minutes of the half, and Oregon Tech ultimately took a 28-23 advantage into the locker room.

Oregon Tech (20-8, 10-8 CCC) nailed five of its first seven shots in the opening 3:23 of the second stanza to build a 41-27 advantage. The Owls continued to pile it on, as back-to-back three's by Brandon Halter capped a 27-11 run to open the second frame to extend the lead to 21 (55-34).

Trailing by 19 with just under eight minutes remaining, EOU saw Bakalarski take off for four-straight baskets, including a trio of three's, in less than two minutes to make it a 12-point (65-53) contest with 5:55 remaining.

After Oregon Tech stretched its lead back to 14 (69-55), both Washington and Bakalarski combined for 12 points amidst a 12-2 run to pull EOU to within four (71-67) with 58 seconds on the clock.

However, Moore responded with another jumper, and the Mountaineers followed with an empty possession to fall behind. 

STATS OF THE GAME
22 – Washington pulled down a career-high 22 boards in the losing effort.  
27 – Bakalarski exploded for a career-high 27 points, including 11 points in a stretch of one minute and 41 seconds during the second half.  

UP NEXT
EOU heads to Walla Walla for its final regular season contest on Thursday night. Tipoff in College Place, Wash., is set for 7:30 p.m.