KIRKLAND – Ryan Ricks converted a three-point play with 3.8 seconds left to lift Northwest to a 73-72 victory over No. 17 Southern Oregon Friday.
 
"Every time you play a Southern Oregon team or anyone in this conference, you've got to be ready to play your best basketball," said NU Head coach Jeff Drinkwine. "I am not sure we did that tonight, but the second half we certainly stepped up. We know that Southern Oregon is a veteran group. They're very well-coached, so that was very good for us to be able to overcome our first half woes and come out with the win."
 
Southern Oregon led by as many as 15 points early in the second half and was up 12 with 9:09 left in the game.
 
Christian Hakilimali scored seven points during a Northwest 13-0 run for a 63-62 Eagle lead with 5:34 to play.
 
"It was a great team effort. We showed a lot of growth after having early adversity of having to come from behind," said Drinkwine.
 
After three lead changes, the Raiders grabbed a 71-67 lead on a Tate Hoffman basket with 58 seconds to play.
 
Ricks answered at the other end with a three-pointer with an assist from Tanner Davis.
 
Hoffman sank a free throw for a 72-70 SOU lead with 15 seconds to go. The Raiders got the offensive rebound off the second free throw, and NU fouled quickly.
 
Aaron Borich missed the front end of the bonus free throw situation, and Cesar Sandoval corralled the rebound. Hakilimali drove the lane and missed a layup, but Ricks was on the spot and sank a short jumper from in front of the basket and was fouled by Tez Allen.
 
After a timeout, Ricks calmly knocked down the free throw, and after both teams managed one more turnover apiece, Teron Bradford's long three-point attempt was off the mark.
 
Hakilimali led the Eagles with 20 points and five assists, while Hussayn Ford scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Davis added 12, and Ricks finished with 11.
 
Allen had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Raiders.
 
Now 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Eagles host No. 1 Oregon Tech Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
 
"Tomorrow night will be another challenge for us. We need to continue on, not celebrate too long, and focus on Oregon Tech."
 
The Raiders fell to 5-2 overall and 0-1 on CCC action as they head to Olympia to take on Evergreen State Saturday.