KIRKLAND, Wash. - #20 Southern Oregon defeated Northwest U. 70-62 this afternoon in Cascade Conference play. The game was rescheduled for an earlier 2 p.m. start instead of 5:30 p.m.  as a winter storm began to bring snow and high winds into the area.

The first half was close with as the lead changed hands three times and the score was tied on three occasions. With Southern Oregon up 21-15, Northwest would go on a 7-2 run to pull to within one point, 23-22 with 6:15 left in the half and NU’s Rachel Mitchell would put the Eagles into the lead 25-24 on her 3-pointer at the 4:36 mark. But the #20 Raiders would regain the lead on Whitney Scott’s trey with 2:44 to go in the half. Ashley Baker would out SOU on top 39-33 as the buzzer sounded with her jumper as the teams headed into the locker room.

The Raiders would begin the second half out scoring NU 6-2 and would take a 45-35 lead with 18:46 left on the clock. The Eagles would not go away easy as they would get to within 2 points, 49-47, on Dani Drivstuen’s driving baseline lay-up at the 14:47 mark, but Nu could not get any closer as SOU would maintain a 6 to 8 point lead the remainder of the game. Rachel Mitchell’s 3 pointer would make it 70-62 with 46 seconds left in the contest as the clock would run out without any more scoring.

Northwest U. (4-9, 2-2) was led by guard Rachel Mitchell’s game high 22 points and 7 assists. Alexa Breidenbach added 11 points and 5 rebounds while senior Dani Drivstuen would grab 7 rebounds for the Eagles. NU would shoot 44% for the game but would only manage 46% shooting from the free throw line going 10 for 22.

Southern Oregon’s (9-1, 2-2) Jacki Speer would lead the team with 20 points and 12 rebounds to complete the double-double for the contest. Whitney Scott would add 15 points while teammate Ashley Baker would add 11 points and 7 rebounds. SOU would shoot 37% for the game from 2-point range but would shoot a low 7% from the 3-point arc shooting 1 for 15 on the afternoon. SOU out rebounded NU, 46-42 including a game high 20 offensive boards.