CALDWELL, Idaho – Southern Oregon dug itself in a hole that proved too deep as its fourth-quarter rally came up short in a 61-45 loss to College of Idaho on Friday at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.

The Yotes (13-7 overall, 7-5 Cascade Conference) pushed a six-point halftime edge to 43-27 by the start of the fourth quarter, holding the Raiders (17-3, 10-2) to 8-of-44 shooting through the first three frames.

The lead was 18 when the Raiders went on a 10-0 run – getting 3-pointers from Kalei Iwami and Brianna Phiakhamngon to creep within striking distance with 4:28 left – but that was as close as they'd get.

The Raiders had won five straight entering the matchup. They've been without CCC player-of-the-year frontrunner Kami Walk in both of their conference losses. They were also missing head coach Carlotta Kloppenburg-Pruitt.

C of I took advantage, spurred by Sienna Ringle, who posted 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Allie Cannon, who had 15 and nine.

SOU finished with a season-low shooting percentage of 23.8. Phiakhamngon (13 points) and Iwami (10 points) provided the offensive bright spots. Freshman post Clara Robbins, starting in place of Walk, contributed eight points and five rebounds but was limited by foul trouble to 13 minutes.

The Raiders will get an opportunity to salvage the trip on Saturday, visiting Eastern Oregon for a 3 p.m. tipoff. The teams are tied for first place after the Mountaineers held off Oregon Tech in overtime Friday.