Local News

SOU Fends Off Late LC State Surge in CCC Title Game

Published

March 5, 2024

3/3/2024 | Alisha Alexander | Assistant Athletics Director-Sports Information

ASHLAND, Ore. – Southern Oregon held off a late push by LC State Women’s Basketball in the Cascade Conference Women’s Basketball Championship, presented by U.S. Bank, with a final score of 59-53. Despite the loss, the Warrior women earned the CCC’s second automatic bid to the national tournament. LC State will be a host site for the NAIA Women’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, presented by Ballogy.

The field for the national tournament will be announced on March 7 at 5 p.m. PT with play set for March 15 and 16 in the P1FCU Activity Center. LC State holds a record of 25-5 heading into the national tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SOU scored first, but a 3 by Callie Stevens and layup by Lindsey Wilson gave LC a 5-3 lead at 6:46. A layup by Ellie Sander and another triple by Stevens had the LC State deficit at 15-10 after 10 minutes.

A layup by Stevens and 3-pointer by Ella Nelson kept the Warriors within a few points through the first five minutes of the second frame. A pair of layups by Stevens had LC State within four, 23-19, at the 4:14 mark.

Back-to-back baskets by Sitara Byrd and Nelson tied the score 23-23 at 2:58. Wilson kept things knotted up at 25 each a minute later. SOU hit a 3 in the final minute and Mataya Green answered with a layup to have the Warriors within one, 28-27, at the break.

The Raiders carried momentum into the second half with the first two buckets to push the margin to 32-27. Stevens hit a jumper, but SOU’s Kami Walk answered with another 3 and foul shots had the score at 37-29 after three minutes.

Southern Oregon grew its advantage to double digits at 5:35 before back-to-back baskets by Darian Herring and Nelson brought LC State back within 10 points with 2:08 to play in the third quarter. Herring scored once more, but the Raiders surged again to carry a 49-38 lead with 10 minutes to play.

A pair of 3-pointers by Tatum Brager and Byrd cut the deficit to six, 50-44, with 6:50 to play, and Sander and Stevens each hit a triple in the final two minutes, but the Warriors fell just short by a final of 59-53.

Stevens led the contest with 20 points. Byrd and Nelson each grabbed eight rebounds with Nelson’s being a career-best. Green had four assists and Byrd grabbed three steals.

UP NEXT

The Warriors host the NAIA Women’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, presented by Ballogy, March 15 and 16.