No. 22 Southern Oregon Downs Corban, 89-78
ASHLAND, Ore, -- The 22nd-ranked Southern Oregon University Raider women's basketball team looked like it was going to blow the Corban Warriors away Friday night at McNeal Pavilion.
In the first half, the hot-shooting Raiders broke away from a 6-6 tie with 14:28 remaining, and by the time Jacki Speer completed a three point play with a free throw, SOU had a lead of 19 points, 34-15 with 8 minutes left in the half.
Yet, by halftime Corban cut into the lead by outscoring SOU 25-11. The Raider halftime lead was only 45-40. The final score was SOU 89, Corban 78 in a Cascade Conference game. With the win, the Raiders remain tied with Eastern Oregon for first place in the conference and the automatic berth in the NAIA national tournament. EOU currently holds the tie breaker with SOU.
In the second half against Corban, the Raiders slowly built up the lead. With 8:42 left in the game the lead was back to nineteen, 74-55 on two free throws by Whitney Scott.
SOU was led in scoring by Chelsey Muri with 29 and Rhiannon Dickison with 19. Other Raiders in double figures 13 for Jacki Speer, Whitney Scott had 11 and Ashley Baker 12 for Lynn Kennedy's team.
Corban was led in scoring by Jennesa Miller with 19, Jessica Steigleman, the league's leading scorer hit 18 points and Kaily Bostwick added 14 more. SOU shot 42% for the game while Corban hit 41%. The Warriors were 1-5 from three point range while SOU made 5-15.
SOU concludes the regular season Saturday night at home against Concordia. Corban travels to Oregon Tech to meet the Owls. SOU moved to 25-4 overall and 16-3 in league play. The Warriors fell to 9-20 overall and 5-14 in league play. The Raiders remained unbeaten at home.
Saturday's game will have live stats available, radio Internet broadcasts from KEZX AM 730, and live Internet video by clicking www.sousports.com
After tomrorrow's season finale, SOU will open Cascade Conference play at McNeal Pavilion on Tuesday, February 26 at 7 p.m. TIckets will be available at the door.