Al Case, Ashland Daily Photo.
Carlson collects 100th win as SOU downs Beacons, 57-45
SOU Sports Information
ASHLAND –
Alex Carlson became the fastest head coach to 100 wins in Southern Oregon University women's basketball history as the 19th-ranked Raiders bullied Northwest Christian, 57-45, in Cascade Conference play Friday at Lithia Motors Pavilion.
During their eighth victory in nine games, the Raiders (12-4 overall, 8-2 CCC) pulled down more offensive rebounds (22) than defensive boards (20) and forced 27 turnovers. The result was 24 more field-goal attempts for them than the Beacons (7-12, 4-6) on a night they led for the final 33 minutes.
Kenadee Honaker was integral to the energetic effort with seven points, six steals and eight rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
Each of SOU's other starters produced, too: Ariel Augustine had 12 points and four steals, Destinee Jones had four steals and 11 boards (six offensive), Syd Fryer scored a team-high 17 with 5-of-6 shooting from 3, and Daranda Hinkey totaled 10 points and seven assists without a turnover.
Carlson, in his fourth season, improved his incredible record to 100-16, good for an .862 winning percentage. His Raiders remain in second place going into another home game at 5 p.m. Saturday against Corban.
Shanay Dotson turned in team-highs of eight points and three assists for NCU. Her jumper tied it for the Beacons for the last time, 12-12, before Syd Fryer immediately answered with a 3-pointer.
Delaney Sparling's jumper seconds before halftime put the Raiders up 35-27, and they scored the first nine points of the third quarter to make it a 17-point game. Augustine started the spurt, stealing NCU's opening possession to get a layup and scoring inside again on her next chance.
The Beacons were more efficient from the field (16-of-43) than the Raiders (22-of-67), but SOU dropped in 10 3-pointers. Augustine and Hinkey had two apiece.
Morgan McKinney chipped in five points, six rebounds and two blocks for NCU.