SOU Leads from Start to Finish in Downing NCC, 76-60 - Cascade Collegiate Conference Skip To Main Content

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SOU Leads from Start to Finish in Downing NCC, 76-60
Chelsey Muri had 27 points in the Raider victory over NCC Tuesday night.

SOU Leads from Start to Finish in Downing NCC, 76-60

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ASHLAND, Ore. -- It was slow going throughout the night, but the No. 2-seeded Southern Oregon University Raider women's basketball team led from start to finish and beat No. 7 seed Northwest Christian College 76-60 Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the Cascade Conference tournament,  

Combined with Eastern Oregon's stunning loss to Cascade, the Raiders, now the highest seed remaining, will play the Thunderbirds in the semifinals Friday night in Ashland. No. 8 seed Cascade beat top-seeded EOU 67-66. EOU has the automatic NAIA tournament bid wrapped up.

Against NCC, the Raiders led early but poor shooting by both teams kep the score low. A three-pointer by Rhiannon Dickison with 10:32 left in the half gave SOU at 20-10 lead. Four minutes later a Whitney Scott layup put SOU up by 11, 26-15.

Two free throws by Amy Croll brought the Beacons with 4 at 27-23, but SOU built it back to 10 at halftime, 40-30.

The second half saw the game remain close as NCC cut into the Raider lead which remained in single digits through the first 10 minutes of the half. It was relentless SOU pressure that continued to pound the boards and the Raiders went up by 17 points late in the game only to win going away.

SOU was led by Chelsey Muri with 27 points on 8-12 shooting, 3-4 three pointers and 8-10 free throws. Jacki Speer added another double double to her credit with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Ashley Baker contributed 10 points.

The Beacons were led by Elise Gray with 23 points on 7-13 shooting and 8-8 from the line. Amy Croll added 11 points and McKenzie Gambee added 10.

Overall SOU shot 24-61 or 39 percent for the game, while NCC shot 20-58 or 34 percent. SOU shot 6-21 from three point range, NCC 2-9. In free throws, SOU was 22-30 and NCC 18-22.

Northwest Christian ended its first season in the Cascade Conference with a 14-16 overall record and 8-12 in league play. SOU continues its incredible season run with a home game in the semifinals on Friday. At 27-4, SOU has its second best record in school history.

In order to get to Sioux City, Iowa and the national tournament, SOU can do it at home where the Raiders are unbeaten at 14-0. EOU was unbeaten at home, too, so nothing can be taken for granted.

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