ASHLAND – Southern Oregon lost a sizable lead against Northwest (Wash.) for the second time this season, but a senior trio made sure the lapse was only temporary as the 15th-ranked Raiders survived for a pivotal 70-67 win Saturday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

Tate Hoffman put up 25 points and nine rebounds, Jordan Hunt went for 15 points and 10 boards, and Aaron Borich had 13 points and five assists with a few big buckets in the second half, keeping SOU (18-5 overall, 12-3 Cascade Conference) in control of second place with five regular-season games to play.

The Eagles (14-8, 9-4) – who entered the matchup knotted with SOU in the loss column – had two shots to tie on the game's final possession after Hunt split a pair of free throws, but 3-point attempts by Ryan Ricks and Hussayn Ford rimmed off as the clock ran out.

Tez Allen contributed 10 assists, including seven before halftime that helped the Raiders push to a 40-28 lead.

It disappeared nine minutes into the second half – Dejwan Walker's 20 points and Ford's 16 points and 13 boards were largely responsible – when Christian Hakilimali's layup put the Eagles up 50-49.

Hoffman answered on back-to-back possessions by driving to the hoop for a bucket and following up with a three-point play. The Raiders went up 61-53 with seven minutes left after Borich scored five straight and Allen got into the paint for a layup.

Hakilimali, who finished with 15 points and five assists, cut SOU's lead to two with 15 seconds left before the Eagles sent Hunt to the line.

Hunt's double-double was his second. Hoffman eclipsed 20 points for the eighth time this season and the third time in SOU's last five games.

Teron Bradford helped with seven points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Conor Carroll led all bench scorers with six points.

The Raiders have won 10 of their last 11. They'll play their next three on the road – at Northwest Christian, Corban and Oregon Tech – before finishing the regular season at home against Multnomah and Warner Pacific.