SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Josh Meyer's 20 points and nine rebounds weren't enough as the Southern Oregon men's basketball team dropped its opener 67-66 to Westmont (Calif.) on Friday at Murchison Gym.
The Raiders' struggles from 3-point range, where they shot 7-of-29, haunted them until the final buzzer. Jake Virga's attempt from outside for the lead was blocked with eight seconds left and after he recovered it Tez Allen missed one more to seal the outcome.
Allen battled foul trouble throughout the game but still managed 11 points and three steals. His final bucket was a 3-pointer that cut SOU's deficit to one point with 53 seconds left. It ended up being the final make for either team.
Westmont point guard Jared Brown lit up the Raiders for 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting and accounted for all four of the Warriors' 3s. One of them started the deciding run, an 11-0 spurt that took Westmont from down four to up 64-57 with seven minutes left.
Meyer labored through an 8-of-20 night to get his 20. Mason Whittaker went for eight points, and K'wan Carter had six points and six boards off the bench.
Westmont held SOU to 39 percent shooting and improved to 2-0.
The Raiders will end their road trip at 2 p.m. Saturday with a matchup at The Master's (Calif.).