Warner Pacific Wins Playoff Thriller Over Southern Oregon
BOX SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific needed overtime to get past Southern Oregon in a wild game at Bart Valentine Court tonight in CCC Tournament Quarterfinal action.
The host Knights (23-7) move on to face Northwest University in a semifinal matchup that will take place in Kirkland, Washington. SOU’s season comes to a close with a 17-13 overall record.
The action on the court proved to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, for fans and players alike. WPC seemed to have the game wrapped up in the closing moments of regulation, only to see the visiting Raiders storm back with their season in the balance. SOU’s Kyle Tedder nearly single handedly put his team over the top, scoring 33 points and hitting 9 of 14 shots from three point range.
The first period was rough going for both teams, as the Raiders committed 10 turnovers while WPC managed to shoot just 34 percent from the field. SOU led by as many as 6 (31-25) and took a 33-29 lead into halftime.
The pace certainly picked up in the second period, and Southern Oregon was the aggressor in the first 10 minutes. Back to back buckets from Eric Thompson gave SOU a 49-40 lead with 11:33 on the clock and the Raiders were on the verge of prolonging their season. The momentum shifted to Warner Pacific however thanks to a 19-2 run, highlighted by a long three pointer from Ryan Parks which energized the home crowd and sent the Knights ahead 59-51 with 3:03 to play.
A pair of free throws from William Sharp gave WP a 66-58 lead with under a minute to play and the Knights were poised to move on to the next round. SOU had other plans and Tedder was the architect. The sophomore proceeded to bury a pair of three point goals on consecutive possessions, and was fouled by a Knight defender on each attempt. The made free throw on the second tied the ball game at 67-67 while supporters in the stands from both sides looked on in shock.
Warner Pacific had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Dane Johnson’s jumper in the paint fell short, and the offensive putback attempt from Treavone Bowie fell off the rim.
Tedder wasted no time in the extra period, draining his eighth make from behind the arc on the opening possession. WPC responded however, as Bowie stepped in front of a pass and took it the length of the court for a dunk. Later, Tedder broke loose in the key for a layup that gave SOU a 75-73 lead, but Biniam Tadele canned a three pointer on the next Knight possession which gave the lead to Warner Pacific for good. Free throws from Bowie and Johnson made the score 79-75 in favor of WP with 21 seconds remaining, but Tedder again struck from long range, giving the Raiders hope.
Johnson was fouled with 12 seconds left, and managed to make just one of two attempts from the line and the Raiders looked to tie or win on their final possession. Bowie came up with a crucial steal for WP however, denying SOU the chance and putting the final stamp on a thrilling CCC playoff encounter.
Biniam Tadele ranged inside and out for 18 points and eight rebounds, both team highs for Warner Pacific. Johnson (14), Bowie (13), Doug Thomas (12), and Sharp (10) also scored in double figures, while Johnson threw for eight assists.
Kyle Tedder finished 11 of 16 overall from the floor, and added three rebounds and an assist to his 33 points. Eric Thompson turned in a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Warner Pacific will square off with Northwest University on Saturday, February 22 in Kirkland in a CCC Tournament semifinal game.