LEWISTON, Idaho – There were a couple of ways for No. 23-ranked Southern Oregon to look at its 54-48 loss to No. 10 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Saturday evening at the P1FCU Activity Center.
The Raiders couldn't be blamed for their disappointment after an 18-4 start and a six-point lead in the fourth quarter that they didn't protect. They could also take comfort in the fact that, despite going scoreless for a 10-minute span in the first half and surrendering a 16-2 run late, they nearly took down one of the NAIA's hottest teams on its home court.
LCSC ultimately protected its first-place standing in the Cascade Conference and extended its winning streak to 16 games thanks to junior guard Callie Stevens, the reigning CCC Player of the Year. Stevens shot 8-of-16 with four 3-pointers to score 20 points, rescuing the rest of the Warriors – who combined to shoot 28 percent from the field – from their offensive woes. After a 16-5 SOU push left them behind 41-35 with seven minutes left, she dropped in three buckets and assisted three others for fast-break layups during the game-deciding swing that ensued.
The Raiders (13-4 overall) completed the first half of CCC play in third place with a 9-2 record, one game back of Eastern Oregon and two back of the LCSC. Throwing out two COVID-19 forfeits in the middle of last season, the Warriors (16-1, 11-0) have won 27 consecutive regular-season conference games.
SOU's hot start brought back memories of their last visit to Lewiston, a 56-34 upset of the Warriors in the 2022 CCC Tournament championship game.
Brianna Phiakhamngon scored eight in the first quarter and finished with a team-high 12.
Emma Schmerbach scored 10 and picked up the slack later, hitting four mid-range shots during the stretch that gave the Raiders their fourth-quarter advantage. She also had five rebounds.
Kami Walk had eight points and eight rebounds, and
Clara Robbins pulled down 11 boards – the fifth double-figure game she's produced in her last eight.
Kalei Iwami tacked on eight points.
The Raiders will now play five games in a row at home, starting next Friday and Saturday against Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho.