A fast start helped Southern Oregon snap a three-game losing streak with a 71-63 victory over Northwest Christian tonight in Eugene.

Southern Oregon improved to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in Cascade Conference play and also snapped an eight-game losing streak to Northwest Christian. Southern Oregon travels to Corban tomorrow night. The Beacons fell to 6-9 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Austin Wolfer (Woodburn, Ore./Woodburn) turned in a season-high 21 points to go with nine rebounds for the Raiders. Wolfer went 7-for-8 from the field and 7-for-9 from the free throw line. Jordan Highland (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin) had 15 points and eight rebounds.

Kellen Spicer had 15 points to lead Northwest Christian.

The Raiders jumped out to an early 6-0 lead then held the Beacons to 3 of 17 shooting early in the contest to control of the game.

SOU pushed the lead to 24-14 with 5:32 to play in the half on a layup and free throw by Highland and then a Highland steal led to a layup by Wolfer for a 26-14 SOU advantage.

The lead grew to 32-18 late in the half after a pair of Wolfer free throws and two more free throws by the senior helped the Raiders lead 36-23 at the half.

Southern Oregon shot 56 percent (14 of 25) in the first half, while Northwest Christian shot 29 percent (8 of 27).

The Beacons made a run in the second half, cutting the lead to 49-46 on a 3-pointer by Brian Hampton, but freshman Kyle Tedder (Coos Bay, Ore./Marshfield) answered his own 3-pointer to make the lead 52-46. Two minutes later, Hampton hit another 3-pointer, but once again Tedder stole his thunder with a 3-pointer of his own for a 55-49 SOU lead with just over seven minutes to play.

Back-to-back baskets by Wolfer put the Raiders back in control at 62-51.