ROSEBURG – The Roseburg boys basketball team built a double digit lead early in the second half, but had to hold off the South Medford Panthers down the stretch for a 54-50 win in Southwest Conference action Tuesday night.

The Indians pulled ahead 42-30 midway through the third quarter and seemed to be heading towards a comfortable victory. South Medford wasn’t ready to give in and finished the quarter on a 10-4 run to get back within six heading to the fourth quarter.

The Panthers kept the run going into the final period and a three-pointer by sophomore Sherman Hunter brought South Medford to within one point of the Indians with two minutes left to play.

Roseburg managed to keep South off the board down the stretch and the Tribe went three-for-four from the free throw line to seal the victory. It was Roseburg’s first win of the season in conference play.

Collin Warmouth went 5-for-5 from the charity stripe and notched a game-high 21 points. Cody Johnson made four three-pointers and added 16 points for the Indians.

Roseburg shot 11 free throws to only two attempts by South Medford. The Panthers didn’t attempt a free throw until the fourth quarter.

The Panthers finished with three players in double figures, led by Sherman Hunter, who made four three-pointers and scored 18. Robbie Patterson added 12 and Jesse Higgins contributed 11.

Roseburg will next play its first conference road game. The Tribe heads to South Eugene High School to face off against the Axemen on Friday. Tipoff is set for 6:45 p.m. and the game broadcast will begin at 6:30 p.m. on 1490 The Score or watch online at 541radio.com.

S. MEDFORD 7; 18; 15; 10 – 50
ROSEBURG 10; 22; 14; 8 – 54

S. MEDFORD (50) – Sherman Hunter 18, Patterson 12, Higgins 11, T. Boster 4, DeBoer 3, English 2, A. Boster, P. Owens, Fealey, Bottero.

ROSEBURG (54) – Collin Warmouth 21, Johnson 16, Stone 9, Ellis 3, Lake 3, Crince 2, Medak, Black.