ASHLAND, Ore. – Northwest rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit and came up just short in a 70-67 loss at No. 15 Southern Oregon Saturday.
 
The Eagles missed two three-pointers in the final 10 seconds for a chance to tie.
 
The first half had been close for 17 minutes before the Raiders finished it off with a 10-2 run to take a 40-28 lead at halftime.
 
An early second-half basket by Jordan Hunt put SOU ahead 42-28, but the Eagles got the offense rolling with a 12-0 run. Christian Hakilimali had six points and Dejwan Walker four in the scoring spree that made it a 42-40 game with 15:58 to play.
 
Hakilimali scored with 11:10 to play for a brief 50-49 NU lead, but SOU answered on the other end and kept the lead from there.
 
Northwest trailed 69-63 with 1:24 left but got a basket by Hussayn Ford and a defensive stop and a basket by Hakilimali with 15 seconds remaining to make it a 69-67 contest.
 
Southern Oregon left the door open, hitting one of two free throws, but the Eagles came up empty on a two-shot possession to end the game.
 
"We battled for the second night in a row on the road against another top 25 team and came up short," said NU Head Coach Jeff Drinkwine. "Once again, we got down early in the first half and had to battle back. Our guys certainly are demonstrating a can-do frame of mind and resiliency. We now get a bit of rest, and we are looking forward to a return back to the Eagles' Nest to play in front of our crowd."
 
Walker led the Eagles with 20 points, and Ford racked up a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Hakilimali finished with 15 points and five assists.
 
Tate Hoffman led SOU with 25 points with Jordan Hunt getting a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
 
Now 14-8 overall and 9-4 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Eagles return home next weekend to face Multnomah Friday and Warner Pacific Saturday in a pair of 7:30 p.m. tips.