by KLAMATH FALLS – The 12th-ranked Southern Oregon women’s basketball team rebounded Saturday at the Lithia-Oregon Tech Classic, outscoring Simpson (Calif.) by 14 points in the second half for an 85-73 victory at Danny Miles Court.
Facing a 36-34 halftime deficit after taking their first loss Friday, Ariel Augustine carried the Raiders with 10 third-quarter points, and Destinee Jones and Daranda Hinkey (Shoshone/Paiute) dropped seven apiece in the fourth to assist a 27-16 advantage.
SOU trailed 59-58 with nine minutes left before 3-pointers from Kalei Iwami, Sophia Altemus, Kenadee Honaker and Hinkey keyed a 14-5 spurt.
Augustine and Iwami finished with 17 points each, and Iwami got there by going 5-of-7 from downtown. The Raiders hit 14 3-pointers as a team, their highest total since the 2016-17 season.
Jones recorded 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists, Hinkey had 10 points, five assists and two steals, and Delaney Sparlingwent 3-of-4 from 3 off the bench to add 11 points.
The Raiders also maintained a 21-8 advantage in turnovers forced. The turnover total was their lowest of the season.
They overcame a 22-point effort by Shayla Smothers, who picked up 14 of those at the free-throw line. The Redhawks (4-6) made 19 more free throws (32) than the Raiders but were limited to 18-of-47 shooting from the field.
The Raiders also defeated Simpson on Nov. 5 in Redding, 59-58 on Jones’ last-second free throws.
SOU plays Wednesday at Menlo (Calif.) and will make its home debut next Friday with a 1 p.m. matchup against Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).
