ASHLAND – Southern Oregon's sixth win in its last seven Cascade Conference games was an 87-62 final against Walla Walla (Wash.), made comfortable by a 14-1 surge midway through the second half on Saturday night at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

Mason Whittaker hit 7-of-12 attempts, including four 3-pointers, to score a team-high 18 points for the Raiders, who improved to 11-6 overall and 6-5 at the halfway point of the CCC schedule. His bucket started a 9-0 run that played out over the first 92 seconds of the second, stretching SOU's advantage to 16 points.

WWU (2-14, 1-11) hung around thanks in large part to Andrew Vaughan's 25-point effort. He and Soren Dalan combined for 24 after the break, getting the Wolves' deficit down to 57-51 with 10:36 remaining.

Triples from Etan Collins and Joe Juhala fueled the Raider push that ensued. Juhala made 3-of-4 attempts from 3 during the second half, and Elijah Jackson scored seven of his 10 during the period. Jackson added five rebounds and four assists.

Jacob Axmaker logged all 10 of his points in the first half for SOU, which has won 12 of its last 13 home games dating back to last season.

Bryce Dyer supplied five points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Gabe Reichle had eight points and four boards off the bench.

The Raiders shot only 42% from the field but had a 30-point advantage from the 3-point line, where they went 15-of-35.

Dalan finished with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Wolves.

The Raiders have a chance to make up more ground in the standings at home next weekend, hosting fourth-place Eastern Oregon on Friday and first-place College of Idaho on Saturday.