Southern Oregon Defeats No. 2 College of Idaho, 81-75

ASHLAND, Ore. - Southern Oregon ended a stretch of 30-straight Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season wins with an 81-75 win over No. 2 College of Idaho on Friday night.
 
The host Raiders (3-3, 1-0 CCC) scored the first six points of the second half on its way to the win. Khalil Chatman provided five of the six points on his way to a double double, 19 points and 10 rebounds in the win. SOU shot 50.9% (28-for-55) from the field in the win. Chatman was joined by three teammates – Dominic McGarvey (17), Ethan Blythe (12) and Teron Bradford (12) – in double figures.
 
The Yotes (5-2, 0-1 CCC) dropped its conference opener for the first time since 2016-17 when they lost by an 83-79 margin to Eastern Oregon. Despite the loss, Johnny Radford scored a team-best 19 points on the strength of three 3-pointers. Drew Wyman and Straton Rogers added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The two teams came out of the halftime break tied at 36 before the game-deciding spurt by the Raiders. Southern Oregon managed to stretch the lead to as much as eight throughout the half. Despite the deficit, there was always a chance for a comeback by the Yotes. Down 76-68 with :54 left, a layup by Rogers made it a six-point game with :37 to play. After the Raiders made one of two free throws, Radford came down the court and hit a 3-pointer to make it a four-point game with :13 to go. Four points would be as close as they would get and spoil the comeback hopes.
 
The first half saw Southern Oregon start the game on a 16-5 run in the first seven minutes of the contest. College of Idaho came back to tie the game at 34 with 1:55 left in the first 20 minutes when Jake O'Neil made a layup. Two free throws by O'Neil put C of I ahead 36-34 and for just the third time in the contest. However, the Raiders' Ethan Blythe took an offensive rebound and successfully made a jumper to tie the game at 36 and for third time with :04 left in the half.
 
The opening weekend of conference play continues for College of Idaho on Saturday as they will face an undefeated Oregon Tech team on Saturday at 6 p.m. (MST)/5 p.m. (PST) in Klamath Falls.

*UPDATE 12/17/2024- Southern Oregon forfeits due to playing an ineligible student-athlete.