ASHLAND – With a sold out crowd in attendance, the seventh-ranked Southern Oregon University men’s basketball team out lasted rival Oregon Tech to win 86-74 at Bob Riehm Arena.
This marked the fifth straight win for the Raiders in the series against the Owls.
Eric Thompson led the way for Southern Oregon (17-4, 6-3) scoring a game-high 20 points including the last four points to seal the win for the Raiders.
Guard Tim Weber contributed 13 points and pulled in eight rebounds while Jeff Bush added eight points and tallying a team high nine rebounds in the game.
Teams battled back and forth in the first half with the Raiders barely edging out Oregon Tech (11-10, 4-5) to take a 43-42 lead at the end of the first half.
The second half started much like the first half with neither team gaining a lead. Dex Daum hit two 3-pointers both when the Raiders where down to regain the lead finishing the game with 12 points.
The Raiders finally broke away in the going on 13-5 run to secure the lead for the remainder of the game. The run was topped off after a Kyle Tedder 3-pointer giving Southern Oregon a 71-62 advantage.
Tedder finished with 13 points and three steals in the game while forward Jordan West tallied 12 points and five rebounds
The Raiders gained a major advantage at the line hitting 27 free throws compared to 12 for Oregon Tech.
Southern Oregon will continue their home stand as they face 21st-ranked College of Idaho who remains on top of the Collegiate Cascade Conference standings on Friday, and Eastern Oregon on Saturday.
