Roseburg boys end season with 69-59 loss at South Eugene

EUGENE — The basketball season wrapped up for the Roseburg boys with another thriller against South Eugene on Tuesday at the Purple Pit.

The Axe went 11-for-12 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter to stretch a two-point game into a 69-59 victory over the Indians in a Southwest Conference contest.

Roseburg (6-19, 2-10 SWC) overcame an eight-point deficit at halftime with a 21-10 advantage in the third period. Owen Bentea scored seven of his team-high 18 points in the quarter to give the Indians a 47-44 lead going to the final frame.

The lead grew to as much as six points over the final eight minutes, but Roseburg needed a 3-point field goal by Landon Fanugao to tie the score at 59-59 with about two minutes left to go.

South Eugene (14-10, 6-6) made a pair of free throws moments later to grab the lead. The Indians had multiple chances to either tie or take the lead, but the shots just wouldn’t fall.

The Axe got a breakaway dunk and was 6-of-6 at the charity stripe to put the game out of reach.

Cameron Perry had 19 points to lead South Eugene. Levi Hawes made 5-of-6 free throws in the final quarter to finish with 11 points.

Jaron Leeworthy made four 3-pointers and added 16 points for Roseburg. Fanugao contributed 13.

Roseburg graduates five seniors — Bentea, Fanugao, Kaden Luther, Ashton Palm and Easton Cantrell.

ROSEBURG (59) — Owen Bentea 18, Leeworthy 16, Fanugao 13, Scott 7, Palm, Cantrell, Luther 5. Totals 21 8-12 59.

SOUTH EUGENE (69) — Cameron Perry 19, Johnson 4, Hawes 11, Rue 7, Heckard 6, Kaster 2, Shafer 2, Gabriel 8, Yoder 10. Totals 24 15-16 69.

Roseburg;10;16;21;12;—;59

S. Eugene;14;20;10;25;—;69

3-Point Goals — Rose. 9 (Leeworthy 4, Bentea 3, Fanugao 1, Scott 1), S.E. 6 (Perry 3, Yoder 2, Rue 1). Total Fouls — Rose. 13, S.E. 14. Technical Fouls — Bentea.