Al Case, Ashland Daily Photo.
Raiders force 43 turnovers, score 76-64 win over #24 UC Merced
SOU Sports Information
ASHLAND – The 15th-ranked Southern Oregon women's basketball team erred on the side of aggression in its season-opener Friday night, a 76-64 victory over No. 24 University of California, Merced at Mountain Avenue Gym.
The Raiders were whistled for 31 fouls – a number unmatched since the 2013-14 opener – but their full-court pressure defense forced a whopping 43 Bobcats turnovers, more than any opponent has committed in the team's last 47 games.
Senior wing Casey Williams led the defensive charge with eight of SOU's 27 steals, tied for the sixth-highest individual total in Raider history. Senior point guard Toria Bradford shrugged off early foul trouble to record 13 points, seven assists and three steals, and junior forward Ariel Augustine totaled 13 points, four rebounds and four steals in her Raider debut.
Merced (3-2 overall) scored 25 of its points at the line and got a 26-point, seven-assist and five-steal performance from guard Mia Belvin, who shot 8-of-12. Despite their troubles, the Bobcats coerced the Raider into some sloppy play of their own and forced 29 turnovers.
After trailing 27-10 two minutes into the third quarter, Merced cut the deficit to six points by halftime and got within one point on a few occasions in the third quarter.
Belvin's fast-break layup made it 48-47 with 2:11 left in the third, but Delaney Sparling's 3-pointer on the other end sparked a 14-0 SOU run in which the Bobcats went more than six minutes without a field goal.
Junior forward Destinee Jones highlighted the Raiders' bench efforts with 12 points, five boards and three steals and freshman reserve Syd'Nee Fryer added four points and six boards.
SOU struggled from the field, shooting 26-of-68, but generated 30 points in transition.
Eight individuals were playing their first game for the Raiders.
They'll play their second Monday at NCAA Division II school San Francisco State. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.