FULLERTON – No. 23 Hope International excelled down the stretch once again, prevailing 87-79 over Southern Oregon in the opening game of the Royals Thanksgiving Classic on Monday at Darling Pavilion.

The Royals held the Raiders to 0 for 9 shooting and forced two turnovers over the final three and a half minutes, ending the game on an 11-3 run. HIU avenged an 81-59 loss to Southern Oregon nine days earlier in Klamath Falls, doing so even though the Raiders hit 12 three-pointers and shot 52 percent overall from distance.

HIU converted six of its last seven free throw attempts, as well as getting six key points from junior Addy G'Bye in the ultimate team win.

The Royals shot 53.4 (31 of 58) percent overall, including 64.3 (9 of 14) percent from three-point range, and received scoring contributions from all eight players who saw the floor. Six Royals scored in double figures, led by Nick Hopkins with 16 points and CJ Fisher with 14.

Darvelle Wyatt and Aman Haynes added 12 points each, with Jorren Edmonds and G'Bye notching 11 and 10, respectively.

Making his first career start, point guard Colin Weems played solidly in his 26 minutes, scoring eight points to go along with two rebounds, two assists, a steal and no turnovers. He knocked down a pair of three-pointers.

The Royals fought back from eight-point deficits on five separate occasions, trailing 64-56 following a three-pointer from Jack Chlumak with 11:55 remaining. Haynes hit back-to-back jumpers to trim the HIU deficit to 67-64, and Fisher drew a foul on a dunk, hitting the free throw to bring the home team within 71-70.

HIU completed a 9-0 run on two Wyatt free throws with 5:40 remaining, taking a 76-71 lead. Southern Oregon responded with six straight points to retake a 77-76 lead, but G'Bye answered with a monstrous three to put the Royals up 79-77.

Gio Evanson knocked down a jumper to tie the score at 79-79. Hopkins missed a pair of layup attempts but corralled the offensive rebound both times, drawing a foul and converting both free throws for a 81-79 HIU lead.

On the ensuing possession, Southern Oregon had four shots at the tying or go-ahead basket, getting three offensive rebounds yet unable to convert. Fisher's block on Jace Anderson went out of bounds to give SOU another opportunity. However, Bryce Dyer committed an offensive foul with 1:15 remaining and Hopkins made 1 of 2 free throws on HIU's next possession.

In the first half, Southern Oregon made seven threes to build a 40-34 lead at the break. The Raiders led 28-20, but a 10-2 HIU run – aided by back-to-back threes from Edmonds and Weems – tied the score at 30-30. 

G'Bye thrilled the crowd with a highlight play midway through the first half, burying a three and drawing a foul. He hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and give the Royals a 13-12 lead.

Both squads committed 15 turnovers, but the Royals held a 22-13 advantage in points off turnovers.

Fisher was exceptional defensively with four blocked shots and four steals.

Southern Oregon received a game-high 17 points from Elijah Jackson and 13 more from Evanson. The Raiders fell to 2-4 on the season.

HIU meets No. 19 Oregon Tech to conclude the Royals Thanksgiving Classic on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.