ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon women's basketball team made its return in style Monday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

Playing their first counter in 20 months, the Raiders thumped Simpson (Calif.) 78-39 and secured Carlotta Kloppenburg-Pruitt's first win as SOU's head coach. Sophomore forward Kami Walk turned in her first career double-double in the process with 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Raiders pulled away with their work on the defensive end. With 4 minutes 23 seconds left in the second quarter, Simpson's Kayla Morgan put in a layup that made SOU's lead to 29-19. The Redhawks didn't score for another 11 minutes, and in that time the Raiders went on a 23-0 run.

Senior wing Kenadee Honaker was active in those defensive efforts as usual. She came away with five of the team's 16 steals as the Raiders forced 27 total turnovers. They also blocked six shots, with Mia Wilmot adding two, and kept Simpson at 33 percent from the field (14-of-32) with just one make from 3-point range.

Danasia Allison acted as another sparkplug during the run and finished with a career-high 12 points to go with three assists. She was the Raiders' leading bench scorer, and their reserves collectively outscored those of the Redhawks' 43-13.

Dominique Harding chipped in seven points and four assists, Kalei Iwami scored eight, and Mallory Heard went 2-of-3 from 3-point range to add seven.

SOU shot 39 percent but assisted 19 of its 28 makes and knocked down 10 3-pointers.

The Redhawks never led. They dropped to 1-5. Their leading scorer, Sandra Berrocal, had seven turnovers with her 10 points.

The Raiders will travel next to Spokane, Wash., for the Quality Inn Whit Classic. They'll face host Whitworth (Wash.) at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Whitman (Wash.) at 2 p.m. Saturday.