Things got a little too close for comfort once again for the Roseburg boys basketball team, but the Indians managed to hold off a fourth quarter comeback by the South Eugene Axe in a Southwest Conference contest Friday night at Roberston Memorial Gym.
After leading by 22 points early in the fourth quarter, Roseburg saw its lead cut to seven with 45 seconds remaining. The Indians avoided a total collapse with an 83-74 victory over the Axe.
Roseburg coach Jordan Humphreys said the team “tried something different in the locker room at halftime” to hopefully avoid a second half let down.
“We’re not going to do that again,” Humphreys added. “We came out with a few poor possessions to start (the second half) and they (South Eugene) get right back in it. At this level, you just can’t do that.”
Roseburg’s win came only a few days after nearly losing to Grants Pass despite leading by 15 at halftime.
It was the fourth consecutive win for the Tribe, which took over sole possession of second place in the conference.
The Indians never trailed against South Eugene (9-9, 3-2 SWC). Asher Vredenburg helped get Roseburg to an early lead with 10 of his 21 points coming in the first quarter.
The lead expanded to 39-24 by the time Roseburg (11-5, 4-1) hit the break.
South Eugene’s Calvin Yoder got hot in the third quarter. The sophomore scored 8 of his 18 points in the period to help the Axe cut the lead back to single digits, but Roseburg rallied behind Mykah Mendoza to lead 59-44 heading to the final period.
Mendoza scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the third, including a 3-point field goal as time expired. The senior added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
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The Indians started the fourth on a 9-2 run to pull ahead 68-46, but the Axe quickly started to cut into the deficit. Trey Saunders netted 10 of his team-leading 20 points in the final stretch to give South Eugene a shot at the comeback.
Roseburg was ultimately able to hold off South Eugene by going 11-for-13 (85%) at the free throw line in the fourth. The Indians were 17-for-24 (71%) at the line for the game.
“Our goal is to try and be over 70% and if we do that and it comes down to free throws, then we’re going to win a lot of games,” Humphreys said.
Owen Bentea and Jullian Lopez also finsihed in double figures for Roseburg, scoring 15 and 11 points respectively.
Levi Hawes contributed 19 points for South and Landyn Bryant had 13.
Roseburg will finish its first rotation through conference play on Tuesday with a trip to Eugene to face the Sheldon Irish at 6:45 p.m.
SOUTH EUGENE (74) — Trey Saunders 20, Thurman 2, Bryant 13, Clemons, Thomas 2, Hawes 19, Perry, Yoder 18, Knight. Totals 32 7-9 74.
ROSEBURG (83) — Mykah Mendoza 23, Lopez 11, Vredenburg 21, Bingham, Ash 5, Bentea 15, Bosley, Luther 4, McCurdy 4. Totals 30 17-24 83.
S. Eugene;13;11;20;30;—;74
Roseburg;18;21;20;24;—;83
3-Point Goals — S.E. 3 (Yoder 2, Bryant 1), Rose. 6 (Mendoza 3, Lopez 1, Ash 1, Bentea 1). Total Fouls — S.E. 18, Rose. 13. Technical Fouls — Humphreys.
