SOU's 29-point rally, EOU streak highlight NAIA openers

An amazing rally by Southern Oregon, and expected scoring spree from Eastern Oregon put both teams into the second round of the NAIA women's basketball national tournament Tuesday.

SOU trailed Wayland Baptist of Plainview, Texas, 37-8 midway through the second quarter before methodically erasing the 29-point deficit and pulling out the 68-66 win on Kami Walk's contested jumper with four seconds left.

SOU held Wayland Baptist scoreless for the final 2:29 of the game.

Brianna Phiakhamngon scored 21 to lead SOU, while Walk contributed 18 points.

The win was the largest comeback in program history, and sent the Raiders (24-7) to a Wednesday match-up host Westmont College (24-3).

Southern is in the second round for the second straight year, and will face Westmont for the second time this season. Westmont beat Southern 57-40 on Nov. 12 on the Santa Barbara, Calif., gym hosting the four-team playoff event.

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EASTERN ROLLS

No. 12 Eastern Oregon cruised past University of Saint Mary's, Kan., 80-57 in the first round at Wichita, Kan., and will face Dakota State, S.D., in the second round.

The Mounties won their 19th straight behind a balanced scoring effort led by Sailor Liefke's 16 points, and a dominating 57-38 rebounding edge.

Shaelie Burgess added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Brie Holecek had 12 points and eight rebounds for EOU, 30-2. Eastern never trailed.

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