CU's Briannah Smith tallied eight assists against SOU on Friday.
Cavs open CCC slate with win over No. 13-ranked SOU
PORTLAND, Ore. – It took the full 40 minutes, but despite getting outshot and outrebounded Concordia University upset No. 13-ranked Southern Oregon 67-66 Friday night in both teams' Cascade Collegiate Conference opener on Friday night.
Concordia (6-1, 1-0 CCC) took only four free-throws, compared to 26 for Southern Oregon (7-1, 0-1), but quality shooting from distance made up for the discrepancy, though, as the Cavs hit eight of 20 shots from 3-point range, including four makes by freshman
Sierra Dean (Tacoma, Wash./Curtis H.S.), who scored a career-high 24 points.
A high-scoring first half was marked by a contrast of styles. The Raiders' attempts to get out and run met with moderate success, but SOU couldn't create much separation for the home team, leading 40-39 at the break.
The second half saw the pace of the contest slow down, which allowed the Cavaliers to force stops at key moments.
With the game deadlocked in the closing minutes, it was the Concordia defense that set the tone. The Cavs held the Raiders without a field goal in the final 6:17 and didn't allow a good look for SOU's desperation attempt at a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
Southern Oregon's high scorer with 12 points was Alexi Smith, who led five players in double figures for the Raiders. Courtney West notched her fourth 'double-double' of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Raiders shot 41 percent from the floor for the game, but just 2 for 11 (18 percent) from 3-point range and 16 for 26 (62 percent) from the foul line.
Jordyn Peacock (Beaverton, Ore./Southridge H.S.)'s 17-point, 12-reound outing was her third 'double-double' of the season for the Cavaliers, who also had Dean and
Lexi Campbell (Brentwood, Calif./Heritage H.S.) (11 points) in double figures.
Concordia played efficiently throughout the night, tallying only 10 turnovers and shooting 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc and 75 percent from the free-throw line.
SOU's next game is Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Warner Pacific College. Tipping off at the same time in Portland, Concordia will play it second straight top-25 opponent by hosting No. 25-ranked Oregon Tech.