Eric Thompson hit game-winner in SOU win over Coyotes
CALDWELL, Idaho - Eric Thompson drained a three-pointer with 37 seconds remaining to give Southern Oregon the lead for good, as the Raiders capped the game on an 18-2 run, stunning The College of Idaho, 64-61, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Yotes (5-10, 0-4 CCC) took a 59-46 lead on a Devan Telken put-back with nine minutes to play, but SOU held the hosts to 1-of-15 shooting the rest of the way. A Jordan Highland basket with three minutes left cut the deficit to 61-57, with Thompson draining a fade-away 18-foot inside the final two minutes to cut the margin to 61-59.
The C of I had three chances on their next possession, but missed a pair of lay-ups and a Matt Ballenger three, giving the Raiders (10-5, 3-1) their first chance at a lead. Thompson missed a jumper in the lane, but tracked down the long rebound and splashed the 23-foot triple.
The C of I had chances inside the final 30 seconds, but Rodney Delgardo missed a three and the Yotes missed a pair of 1-and-1 attempts.
The Yotes scorched the nets in the first half, hitting seven of their first 11 three-point attempts, building a 36-14 lead late in the frame on a Krispin Banks lay-up. The C of I would take a 48-29 early in the second half before 10 quick points by the Raiders (10-5, 3-1) got the visitors back in the game.
Thompson had 17 of his game-high 21 points in the win, with former Coyote, Terriel Thomas, logging 12 points and 16 rebounds. SOU outscored The C of I 23-8 at the foul line.
Banks led the Yotes with 15 points and nine rebounds, but The C of I hit just 6-of-32 shots in the second half. Delgardo had 14 points in the loss, with the Coyotes falling despite a 13-7 edge on the offensive glass.
The C of I will return to action after the Christmas Break, traveling to Northwest and Evergreen on Dec. 29-30.