EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell University women's basketball team concluded the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season with a 73-69 loss in overtime, falling to Southern Oregon on Senior Night.
 
Head Coach Chad Meadors said, "This was a weekend in pain in terms of finding a way to win. We are learning lessons the hard way. I want to figure out ways to help us get over the top and find a way to get a win. We held them to 37% shooting and did a great job again defensively, except for the offensive rebounding side. We gave up too many offensive rebounds which ended up hurting us and we turned the ball over late. We put ourselves in a tough spot and we've got to find a way on Wednesday at OIT and extend our season."
 
The Beacons (17-10, 14-8) grabbed their largest lead of the game, 44-32, with six minutes to go in the third quarter, before the Raiders (22-6, 18-4) used a 11-2 run to end the period down by just three points.
 
Bushnell led 62-57 with 01:03 left in regulation but Southern Oregon scored the next six, which included four free throws to take a 63-62 advantage with 21 seconds on the clock. Bella Pedrojetti drew a foul and made one of two free throws to send the game to overtime.
 
The Raiders scored the first five points in overtime, but the Beacons pulled within one, 68-67, after baskets from Kaylen Kamelamela and Aspen Slifka. The sides exchanged baskets once more but SOU was able to hold on to their slim lead, forcing a turnover and making three of four free throws to come away with the victory.
 
Kami Walk finished with a 16-point, 17-rebound double-double to lead the Raiders. Brianna Phiakhamngon also recorded 16 points, while Danasia Allison added 12 points and six rebounds. SOU won the rebounding battle, 43-39, which included a 17-11 advantage in offensive boards.
 
Southern Oregon will be the three seed entering the conference tournament and will host six-seeded College of Idaho in the first round.
 
Kamelamela led the Beacons with 18 points and nine rebounds. Slifka finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while Pedrojetti recorded 13 points.
 
Prior to the contest, four seniors were recognized for Senior Night. Here is what Coach Meadors had to say:
 
Shawnie Spink: "You can see the smiles generated from Shawnie's personality with her teammates and coaches. She has had a profound impact on our program."
 
Olivia Bailon: "Olivia has a natural leadership ability that has surfaced in our most critical times that empowers her teammates by showing trust and care that is uncommon. Her positive energy impacts everyone she encounters."
 
Kalina Rojas: "In Kalina's three years she has provided consistent post presence with immediate positive results. Her caring spirit has overshadowed her accomplishments on the court to show the incredible person that she is."
 
Kaylen Kamelamela: "Four years ago, Kaylen helped solidify and establish our Beacon women's basketball program and helped lead us to our first ever conference championships at Bushnell. She will have an everlasting impact on our program."
 
The Beacons, who are the five-seed entering the CCC Tournament, will take on four-seed Oregon Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in Klamath Falls.