Southern Oregon stops UC Merced, 62-56
SOU Sports Information
KLAMATH FALLS – Southern Oregon held UC Merced to 37-percent shooting and hung on down the stretch for its third straight win, 62-56 over the Bobcats on Saturday afternoon in the Lithia Classic at Danny Miles Court.
Jordan Hunt recorded 15 points and six rebounds and Tate Hoffman had 14 points and six boards for the 18th-ranked Raiders (3-1). The senior forwards combined to shoot 11-of-20 from the field with four 3-pointers, and Hoffman's triple with 10:39 left extended SOU's lead to 51-37, its most comfortable of the game.
The Bobcats (4-2) crept back with an 11-3 run to cut the lead to four before Teron Bradford's free throws sealed the win with 13 seconds remaining.
Aaron Borich scored 10 points and hit 2-of-3 from 3. He and Bradford both distributed four assists.
Conor Carroll and Josh Washington both scored six, helping the Raiders to 19 bench points.
Merced – which shot 8-of-31 in the first half – was paced by Chiwike E'denchukwu's 14 points.
The win brought SOU coach
Brian McDermott within one of 500 for his career.
The Raiders will spend next week in Fullerton, Calif., playing at the Hope International Classic on Friday against the hosts, HIU, and Saturday against 15th-ranked (NAIA D1) Vanguard (Calif.).