ASHLAND – The defensive pressure that has made Southern Oregon scary early was in full effect in the Raiders' Cascade Conference opener Tuesday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

The offense showed up after a slow start, too, and the Raiders handled previously-unbeaten Oregon Tech to the tune of an 81-65 win in which they led wire to wire. Senior forward Syd'Nee Fryer led four SOU players in double figures with 19 points and nine rebounds, and junior point guard Brianna Phiakhamngon controlled the tempo with 17 points and five assists.

Despite shooting 5-of-22 in the first quarter, the Raiders (5-1 overall) stormed out to a 13-5 lead by holding the Owls (5-1) to a 2-of-12 mark and forcing seven turnovers in the frame. They forced 22 on the night and only committed 10 of their own.

The offense eventually got going behind Fryer and Phiakhamngon, who both accounted for three of SOU's 11 3-pointers. The team shot 48 percent over the final three quarters, upping its advantage to 18 by halftime and as many as 21 in the third.

Kami Walk added 15 points and four rebounds inside. Kalei Iwami scored 12 points and Mallory Heard and Clara Robbins chipped in five apiece off the bench. Kenadee Honaker was a force defensively while amassing seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Kristin Farrell and Olivia Sprague both scored 15 for the Owls. Farrell tried to get them back in the game with five 3-point makes in the third quarter but they never got closer than 12.

After Farrell's third cut SOU's lead to 47-35, Walk and Fryer responded with 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions.

Phiakhamngon's point total represented a season-high and she carried the load early, scoring 15 of SOU's 42 in the first half while also dishing out four assists.

OIT is winless in three trips to Lithia Motors Pavilion.

The Raiders will get back to non-conference play this weekend, playing in the William Jessup Thanksgiving Classic on Friday against Pacific Union (Calif.) and Saturday against WJU (Calif.).