CALDWELL, Idaho – With
Brianna Phiakhamngon shouldering the scoring load, a routinely stout defensive performance held up for No. 18-ranked Southern Oregon against College of Idaho on Friday night at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
In a 60-48 win to open Cascade Conference play, the Raiders' pressure wore down C of I to force 22 turnovers and made the Yotes the sixth SOU opponent that has failed to crack the 60-point mark in as many games.
A season removed from leaving Caldwell with a 61-45 loss, Phiakhamngon ensured there was plenty of offense to get by. The senior point guard poured in a career-high 24 points, shot 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range, dished out three assists, and plucked away four steals.
Her effort – along with that of sophomore forward
Clara Robbins, who totaled a season-high 12 points with six rebounds, two blocks and two steals – made the Raiders 5-1 overall going into Saturday's 3 p.m. clash at Eastern Oregon. The Yotes slipped to 5-2.
Phiakhamngon scored 14 in the first half as the Raiders got hot early, hitting four 3s in the first quarter to build a 22-18 lead. When the offense slowed down, the defense picked up. And as the Yotes' turnovers continued accumulating, their shot selection became rushed: They shot 7-of-11 from the field in the first quarter and 29 percent the rest of the way.
The Raiders led for the final 24 minutes. Phiakhamngon's layup put them up 48-40 with nine minutes to go, and after the Yotes got within 50-46, Robbins converted a three-point play and then took a dump-off from Phiakhamngon to lay in another bucket on consecutive possessions.
The Yotes went scoreless over the final five minutes. Phiakhamngon scored seven in the quarter, and her back-to-back jumpers served as the final points to put C of I away with three minutes left.
Kami Walk contributed nine points, eight rebounds and two steals, and
Danasia Allison had five points and three steals.
Sienna Riggle was the only Yote in double figures, scoring 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting but held a few points under her average.