ASHLAND, Ore. – The recent string of nail-biters between Northwest Christian and Southern Oregon University continued on Sunday with No. 13 Southern Oregon getting the better end of the bargain with an 80-75 victory.
 
The Beacons were unable to take full advantage of 18 Raider turnovers and saw a nine-point halftime lead disappear as SOU shot 61% including a 9-for-15 performance from three-point range. The teams were tied seven times during the contest and traded eleven leads.
 
An Austin Kuemper layup with 1:55 to play gave the Beacons a 72-71 lead but the Raiders would go on to score seven straight points to put the game away as NCU went cold, missing shots on three consecutive possessions. A late three-pointer by Kenny Blackwell made things interesting, pulling NCU within three points but it was too little-too late as Ben DeSaulnier iced the game with a pair of free-throws with just three seconds to play.
 
The Beacons (7-4, 1-1 CCC) were led by Javonte Byrd (pictured) who scored 20 points. Pending the possibility of another post-season game in Ashland, Byrd has averaged 22.6 points per game on the road against SOU in his career, collecting 113 of his 740 career points.
 
All five starters were in double-figures for the Beacons with Kuemper posting 15 points, Jack Hackman scoring 12, Omar Richards adding 11 and Blackwell scoring ten points along with eight assists and two steals.
 
Southern Oregon (9-2, 2-0) was led by Joel Spear's game-high 25 points, shooting 4-for-5 from three-point range while DeSaulnier finished with 21. Jordan West added 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists and Clay Sierra scored ten.
 
The Beacons will have a two-week layoff to prepare for their first CCC home game of the season, hosting No. 20 College of Idaho (7-4, 2-0) on December 18 at 7:30 pm.