Portland, Ore. | The Knights headed down to Ashland, Oregon for a two-game series this weekend. Coming off of an impressive win against Humboldt State earlier this week, the momentum wasn't enough to carry the Knights to a victory as they fall to Southern Oregon 65-73.
 
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The Rundown
 
It was clear that the Knights missed their starting forward, Kaleb Tompkins, as the senior from Juneau, Alaska sinks one from behind the arc to kick off Friday night's contest.
 
The Knights came out aggressive on both sides of the ball. Forcing Southern Oregon to turn the ball over seven times in the first half, with the Knights scoring nine points off of their mistakes.
 
Isaac Etter (7pts) and Kaleb Tompkins (8pts) led the Knights in scoring throughout the first half of play.
 
At the 8:13 mark in the first half, Isaac Etter came up on a steal. As the Knights were not able to convert the layup, after getting a defensive stop Isaac Etter stops on a fast break and pulls up for a three pointer. Putting the Knights up 24-21.
 
Kaleb Tompkins drills his second three of the first half  on a fast break led by Isaac Etter, after grabbing his second steal of the half, to put the Knights up eight points with 4:02 left in the first.
 
Despite the Knights not shooting spectacular in the first half (38.34% FG), their effort on the glass is why the reason they maintained an early lead. The Knights came up on 8 second chance points from pulling down 5 offensive rebounds. Darius Traylor managed to pull down 7 of 9 of his rebounds in the first half.
 
What this contest came down to was making free throws. As a unit, the Knights shot 10-20 from the free throw line for the game. Christian Hodge played big for the nights during the second half of play, scoring 7 of his 11 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. 
 
Regardless, it was all tied up with 3 minutes left in the game 65-65. The Hawks were able to convert on a couple of three pointers, as the Knights' backcourt became cold down the stretch.
 
The Hawks went on an 8-0 run during those remaining minutes to finish the Knights off 65-73.
 
Deeper Look
 
Isaac Etter led the Knights in points with 13pts
Kadeem Strickland logged 10pts and 5 rebounds
Darius Traylor snatched a team high 9 rebounds
Christian Hodge was a spark off of the bench with 11pts and 7 rebounds
 
Flash Forward
 
The Knights will play against the Hawks again on Saturday, April 24^th in Ashland, Oregon.
Tip-off is at 3pm.