ASHLAND, Ore. – Bushnell and Southern Oregon combined for 48 turnovers on Friday night and the Raiders were able to capitalize slightly better, pulling out a key 69-62 victory in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.
 
The Beacons (4-5, 2-2 CCC) shot 48.1% in the game, but were out-rebounded 32-24 with host SOU scoring 27 points off of the Beacons' 23 miscues. The visitors managed to put up just 16 points off of 25 Raider errors.
 
"This was a tough one," said Head Coach Chad Meadors. "Every time we got it close, we stubbed ourselves in the toe and just didn't make enough plays at the right times. Credit to Southern Oregon as they knocked down shots and did some really good things."
 
The Beacons were in the game for a long time as the teams traded eight leads and were tied three times over the initial 20 minutes. It wasn't until the fourth quarter when the Raiders picked up a little steam, building their advantage to double-digits.
 
Senior Morgan McKinney and Junior Aspen Slifka led the way for the Beacons, scoring 15 points each as McKinney posted a team-high seven rebounds. Kalina Rojas added 11 points and Aly Mirabile went 2-for-2 from outside, scoring eight points and registered a game-high eight assists.
 
Southern Oregon went 10-for-22 from three-point range including seven combined from Brianna Phiakhamngon and Syd'Nee Fryer, but it was Kami Walk the led all players, scoring 18 points including a 9-for-10 night at the free-throw line.
 
Meadors said, "With all the mistakes we make, we were three possessions away from the win and really had a chance. There are some things we can do to turn this thing around and now is the time when you have to believe. This is an experienced group that has won a lot of games and once we get on a roll, we can snowball it in the other direction."

Bushnell was originally scheduled to be back in action on Saturday, but Oregon Tech has canceled the game due to COVID roster restrictions. That game will go down as a forfeit win for Bushnell.
 
The Beacons will now get an extra day of rest before traveling to Phoenix, Arizona for the Cactus Classic, which starts on Monday morning against Montana State Northern at 10:00 am.