Wolves Can't Squeak Out a Win Against Southern Oregon
Charles Fletcher- Sports Writer
College Place, Wash- The Southern Oregon Raiders (16-9, 10-5) defeated the Wolves (3-20, 2-12) by a score of 73-90 in what was a scrappy, competitive battle here at Windemuth Court on Friday afternoon.
By the Numbers
- The Wolves attack was led by Dylan Browning who had 18 points, and Isaiah Taylor who added 14.
- Dylan Browning was one point away from a double-double, as he scored 9 points and had 10 rebounds.
- Ben DeSaulnier lead the Raiders in scoring with 23 points, Tristen Holmes accumulated a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Hunt added a double-double of his own with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
- The Raiders were lights out from the free throw line, as they shot 80% from the stripe (21-26).
How it Happened
Walla Walla gained an early 6-2 lead as Southern Oregon was cold coming out of the gate. It wasn't long before the Raiders found their rhythm, however, as they opened up a 20-11 lead with seven minutes gone in the first half. Solid defense from the Wolves then helped them regain the lead after pressuring the Raiders enough to keep them scoreless for three straight minutes. Both teams played virtually dead even for the remainder of the first half. It was the Raiders who held a slim 38-35 lead at the half. Walla Walla came out strong in the second half, fighting back to take the lead when Isaiah Taylor rand coast to coast and finished to make the score 45-44. The Wolves managed to hold on to this lead for the minutes that ensued as they lead by a score of 55-53 with 12 and a half minutes left to play. Walla Walla just couldn't create enough separation, however, as the Raiders were able to take the lead again as a put back by Ben DeSaulnier put his team up 59-55 with eleven minutes to play. Then, with eight and a half minutes to play, SOU's Conor Carroll drained an NBA-range trey to give the raiders a 66-59 lead and force Wolves head coach Jimmy Hill to call a timeout. Southern Oregon was able to hold off the Wolves for the remainder of the game, and pull out a 90-73 win.
Up Next
February 4 will be Senior night for the athletes, and the Wolves will face up against Oregon Tech at 8:00 p.m. here at Windemuth court.