LEWISTON, Idaho — Gracie Arnold scored a career-high 16 points and the Southern Oregon women's basketball team won its first game of the year, defeating Park Gilbert (Ariz.) 79-67 on Day 2 of the LC State Classic.
Arnold finished 5-of-6 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line to help secure David Heard's first win as SOU's interim head coach. The junior from Cottage Grove added seven rebounds, an assist and a block in 17 minutes off the bench.
The Raiders (1-3) held a 41-36 advantage after the second quarter behind 10 first-half points from Maitlin Young. She ended the day with 14 points, three assists and a block.
Southern Oregon led 65-57 before a layup from Park's Cassie Coolidge cut the deficit to six to start the fourth quarter. Alex Bullock scored the next four points for the Raiders to extend the lead to double-digits.
Jenika Zurita, a 5-5 guard from Salinas, Calif., had a near double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds and Millie Day chipped in 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The Raiders shot 30 free throws, making 22 of them.
Taylee Clements grabbed a career-high four steals, leading an SOU defense that had 11 overall. Park-Gilbert (4-2) committed 20 turnovers.
Allie Cummings scored 21 points for the Buccaneers and Sanaa Dennis added 10.
The Raiders will play their first home game of the season on Nov. 13, taking on Hope International (Calif.) at 6 p.m.