KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Despite shooting 61 percent for the game, the 20th-ranked Hope International men's basketball team dropped a 79-69 decision to Southern Oregon in the opening game of the Lithia-Oregon Tech Classic on Friday at Danny Miles Court.
The Royals hit 28 of 46 shots overall, including an incredible 26 of 32 (81.3%) on two-point attempts. However, HIU struggled from three-point territory, converting on just 14.3 (2 of 14) percent overall.
The Royals shot 66.7 (12 of 18) percent in the first half, but still trailed 49-30 at the break. Southern Oregon made seven more field goals and took 17 more shots than HIU, hitting at a 54.3 (19 of 35) percent clip to build the commanding lead.
Jace Anderson scored eight straight points and 10 of the first 12 for Southern Oregon, as the Royals trailed 10-2 just three minutes into the contest.
The Raiders remained hot, making 16 of its first 22 shots to open up a 38-16 cushion at the 6:58 mark. Southern Oregon finally leveled off, missing nine straight shots at one point and finishing three for its final 13 to end the half.
Meanwhile, HIU made its last six shots of the first half, but still trailed by a sizable margin going into the locker room. Jason Hilliard scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, including the last five to help cut a 23-point deficit down to 19.
HIU fared much better in the second half, outscoring the Raiders 39-30. The Royals shot 57.1 (16 of 28) percent over the final 20 minutes, but their struggles from distance continued. HIU missed all seven three-point attempts. The Raiders were just 2 of 14 from distance themselves in the second half.
The Royals opened the second half on a 14-3 run, trimming the deficit to 52-44 at the 14:39 mark. Aman Haynes had six points and Chinedu Nwankwo four during the run.
HIU got as close as five points at 59-54 following a Haynes layup with 6:48 remaining. But the Raiders knocked down three straight shots to keep their distance, leading 66-58 with 5:20 left.
Following two free throws by Haynes that reduced the HIU deficit to 66-60, the Raiders responded with six straight points to wrest back a double-digit lead with two minutes remaining.
Nwankwo led the Royals with 22 points on 9 of 10 shooting. Haynes added 19, adding a team-high seven rebounds while shooting 7 of 11 from the field.
Bryce Dyer had a team-high 18 points for Southern Oregon.
HIU continues play in the Lithia-Oregon Tech Classic, battling the host Owls on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
