Box Score ASHLAND – Northwest Christian got in front early and never gave Southern Oregon an opening to get back, upsetting the third-seeded Raiders 86-74 Wednesday night in the first round of the Cascade Conference Men's Basketball Championships at Bob Riehm Arena.

Coleton Baker scored 24 points and made all six of his free throws in the final 70 seconds to seal it for the sixth-seeded Beacons (17-12 overall), who went 26-for-26 at the line as a team to beat the Raiders for the third time this season.

The Beacons' lead teetered between six and 13 points the entire second half until David Sturner (Philomath, Ore./Philomath)'s layup got SOU within five, 73-68, with 1:53 left. But, at the end of NCU's press-break, Javonte Byrd converted a layup-and-one on the other end.

Byrd continued to come up big exclusively against the Raiders. He hit all three of his 3-pointers and scored 17 points, bringing his total to 16-for-22 from outside against SOU and 9-for-62 against everyone else in the league. Spencer Coleman added 17 points and six rebounds, and Austin Kuemper had 15 points and seven rebounds.

SOU (22-9) outscored the Beacons 36-14 inside as Eric Thompson (Roseburg, Ore./Roseburg) went for 18 points and five rebounds, complemented by Sturner's 17 points and four boards. Tim Weber (Roseburg, Ore./Roseburg) amassed 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Kyle Tedder (Coos Bay, Ore./Marshfield) had 12 points and two steals.

The Raiders got down when three different Beacons made 3-pointers during a quick 14-3 spurt that made it 25-14 just 12 minutes into the game. NCU shot 15-for-25 from the field during the first half and made 6 of 11 triples.

SOU was one of three upset victims in the quarterfinals. Second-seeded Concordia and fourth-seeded Warner Pacific also lost by double digits on their home floors.

In Saturday's semifinals, No. 7 Oregon Tech will play at College of Idaho and Northwest Christian will be at No. 5 Northwest.

The loss could mean the end of Southern Oregon's season. The Raiders will cling to an outside chance at an at-large bid to the NAIA Championships, the field for which will be announced on March 6.