| 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. Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors. | 
