A fourth quarter rally fell short in a 54-49 loss for the Roseburg boys basketball team in a nonconference matchup against North Eugene on Tuesday night at Robertson Memorial Gymnasium.
Roseburg (1-1) let a third quarter nine-point lead slip away down the stretch against the Highlanders. North Eugene (3-1) went 8-for-10 at the free throw line in the final period to secure the victory.
The Indians will have a week off from competition and will next visit the Crater Comets on Dec. 12.
“We had a good start tonight. We pushed the lead up early and didn’t have to fight back,” Roseburg coach Jordan Humphreys said. “But obviously there in the third quarter we didn’t have that firepower to start the second half.”
Two first-year varsity starters helped Class 6A Roseburg build a 26-19 advantage at halftime. Senior Julian Lopez score five of his career-high nine points in the second quarter, while junior Kaden Luther added four points in the period.
Luther went on to finish the game tied for the team lead with 10 points, a career-high. Owen Bentea and Mykah Mendoza also chipped in 10 points each.
“(Kaden) did his job. He understood his role and did what he was supposed to do and that’s all we can ask of him,” Humphreys said. The fifth-year coach added that the team is still working on defining roles within the team.
Seniors Joey Banry and India Mohiuddin led the way for North Eugene. Banry finished with a game-high 16 points, while Mohiuddin — a transfer from Sheldon High School — added 15.
The pair went a combined 11-for-12 at the free throw line, including 8-for-8 in the fourth quarter.
N. EUGENE (54) — Joey Banry 16, Mohiuddin 15, McKinnis 11, Gould 8, Spencer 2, Winger 2, Fisher, Thompson. Totals 17 14-18 54.
ROSEBURG (49) — Mykah Mendoza 10, Owen Bentea 10, Kaden Luther 10, Lopez 9, Vredenburg 6, Bingham 2, Ash 2, Fanugao, Bosley. Totals 20 6-10 49.
3-Point Goals — N.E. 6 (McKinnis 3, Mohiuddin 2, Gould 1), Rose. 3 (Bentea 2, Lopez 1). Total Fouls — N.E. 13, Rose. 15.
JV Score — Roseburg 60, North Eugene 55.
