Box Score
ASHLAND, Ore. – Elisha Hensey missed a potential game-tying contested lay-up at the buzzer, as Southern Oregon survived a furious second half College of Idaho rally, knocking of the Lady Yotes, 75-73, at Bob Riehm Arena.
The Raiders (17-5, 6-4 CCC) led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but C of I rode the back of Hensey, who scored 19 of her 21 points after the break – as her three-pointer with two minutes left cut the margin to two.
The Lady Yotes (9-9, 6-4) got three consecutive defensive stops down the stretch – but could not convert on the offensive end. C of I had their last chance with eight seconds left, inbounding the ball to Hensey, who drove down the right side of the lane, with her driving lay-up in traffic rimming out at the horn – as SOU ended a 12-game losing streak to the Yotes.
Southern sprinted out of the gates, taking a 24-13 lead on a fast break basket from Kristen Schoenherr, but C of I got back-to-back three's from Aleah Lowber in a 12-2 run to get back in the game – cutting the margin to 39-35 at the half.
Bree Park took over early in the second half, hitting four consecutive three-pointers in a two minute stretch, as SOU took their largest lead of the night at 61-46. The Yotes came right back, forcing three-straight turnovers, as Hensey scored six points in a 10-0 C of I run to close the gap, setting up the tense finish.
Schoenherr and Carly Meister each scored 20 points to lead the Raiders, as SOU won despite 23 turnovers.
Erica Martinez had 16 points, Dayna Drager had 15, and Lowber scored 13 in the loss. C of I made just 8-of-16 free throws on the night and got no scoring from their bench.
The Lady Yotes return to action tomorrow, traveling to No. 19 Oregon Tech.
