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Raiders hang on against Northwest By SOU Sports Information Updated: Dec 17, 2022 08:25 PM A A ASHLAND — Southern Oregon hadn’t experienced many tight late-game moments since its season opener nearly two months ago, but the Raiders’ veteran players wouldn’t let them falter when the time came Saturday against Northwest (Wash.). SOU was able to hang on for a 71-65 win, dodging a couple game-tying attempts by the Eagles in the final minute to complete a Cascade Conference weekend sweep at Lithia Motors Pavilion. Senior point guard Brianna Phiakhamngon scored 10 of her career-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, senior shooting guard Kalei Iwami dropped in four second-half buckets to score 14, and junior forward Kami Walk delivered her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The game was the first the No. 23-ranked Raiders (8-2 overall, 4-1 CCC) have played that was within five points in the final five minutes since they debuted with a 51-47 upset of then-No. 4 Carroll (Mont.). After Walk’s free throw put them up 68-65 with 1:06 to play, Northwest (3-6, 1-4) got off three shots on the other end of the floor — two of them misfires by Kyrin Baklund beyond the arc before Makayla Scurlock came up with a rebound. Phiakhamngon sealed the outcome with three straight makes at the free-throw line, giving the Raiders their 19th consecutive home win dating back to 2020. The Eagles, led by Katie Fleming’s 15 points and seven assists, were able to hang around despite trailing by 16 points in the first quarter by outscoring SOU 22-10 in the second. They opened the third with an 11-2 run to go up 46-41, but the Raiders conceded just one basket over the final five minutes of the frame and took a six-point lead into the fourth. After closing the third with a hoop, Iwami delivered three more early in the fourth — the last on a steal and coast-to-coast layup to put the Raiders up 62-55 with 5:38 to go. On their next possession, Phiakhamngon drilled a 3 to make it a 10-point game. Phiakhamngon shot 7-for-11 from the field for her third 20-plus-point outing in five conference games. She also had four assists. Men’s Basketball SOU 92, NORTHWEST 58: At Ashland, five players scored in double figures, three of whom came off the bench, and Southern Oregon had no trouble with Northwest (Wash.) at Lithia Motors Pavilion. Will Graves scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half, dished out four assists and had three blocks before giving way to the Raider reserves. Sophomore forward Joe Juhala led that group with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, achieving his season-high total on 5-of-7 shooting with a pair of 3s. The Raiders (6-4, 3-2 CCC) raced out to a 53-23 halftime lead, shooting 61% from the field and connecting on 6-of-11 attempts from downtown in the period. Nine different Raiders totaled at least six points against the Eagles (6-5, 3-2). Cole McAninch shot 5-of-7 off the bench as he and Brett Hollins scored 11 apiece. Atmar Mundu had 10 points and four assists, and Tre Carlisle was perfect on three 3-point attempts to score nine. SOU’s starting frontcourt duo of Dominic McGarvey and Josh Meyer combined for 13 points and 15 rebounds. CaCoa Chatman (19 points), Drwe Byrson (17) and Isaiah Williams (11) hit double figures for the Eagles, who have dropped seven of their last eight against the Raiders.