EUGENE, Ore. – Southern Oregon was sent to the line 22 times and converted on 86% of their free-throws, sneaking past Bushnell on Saturday afternoon, 72-66. The win pushes SOU into a first-place tie in the CCC while the Beacons remain in fourth place.  
 
Bushnell (16-10, 13-5 CCC) led in nearly every statistical way possible on Saturday, shooting 42% from the field and 48% from three-point range, while out-rebounding the Raiders 40-35. It was a 16-11 discrepancy in fouls that led to the Beacons demise as SOU finished 19-for-22 at the charity stripe. SOU was 10-for-12 on free-throw attempts over the final ten minutes, while the Beacons were never sent to the line in the fourth quarter.
 
"What a tough one tonight," said head coach Chad Meadors. "We are certainly disappointed in how the game ended but it was a battle. We need to do a better job not allowing offensive rebounds. I look at that as the Achilles heel tonight, our inability to finish defensive possessions off with rebounds, giving them too many opportunities and too many good looks. If we get just two more of those rebounds, and take away those possessions and score at the other end, we end up winning the game."
 
The Raiders (21-4, 14-3) were led by Eugene native Kami Walk, scoring 19 points along with ten rebounds. She was 5-for-5 at the free-throw line, hitting four down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Kalei Iwami added 13 points, all in the second half, and Syd'Nee Fryer finished with ten.
 
Bushnell was led for the second night in a row by Aspen Slifka. The junior scored 15 points, adding a game-high four blocks. Bella Pedrojetti went 4-for-6 from three-point range and scored 14 points while Kalina Rojas added ten points. Libby Mathis scored seven while leading all players with 11 rebounds.
 
Bushnell will stay home next weekend, taking on the other first-place team in Lewis-Clark State (20-3, 14-3) on Friday at 5:30 pm. With four games remaining for the Beacons, and five for both LC State and SOU, Bushnell sits 1.5 games out of first.