Southwestern beat Pierce 84-73 in the first round of the Dale Bates Classic in Eugene on Friday.

Everett Smith had 23 points to lead the Lakers. Bobby Watkins added 17 points, Joel Foster 12 and Emmanuel Olekalbe 11.

“It was a pretty nice win for us,” said Southwestern coach Trevor Hoppe. “We built a nice lead in the second half. They were able to make a run on us, but we were able to make some free throws and held on.”

The Lakers made 19 of 26 free throws in the game, hitting 75 percent of their attempts after halftime.

Southwestern plays NWAACC South Region foe Linn-Benton at 6 p.m. today in the semifinals.

Miles reaches milestone

SALEM (AP) - Coach Danny Miles won his 800th career game Friday night when the Oregon Institute of Technology beat George Fox 84-73 at the Corban College Tournament.

Miles is in his 36th season as coach at Oregon Tech. He joins nine men's and three women's coaches at four-year schools to reach the 800-wins mark.

The all-time leader is NAIA Division I coach Harry Statham of McKendree College with 923 wins. Others in the 800-club include Texas Tech's Bob Knight and retired North Carolina coach Dean Smith.

Levell Hesia had 27 points for the Owls (12-0), who play in NAIA Division II and are currently ranked No. 2 behind Hutchinson (Ind.).

Chris Parker had 26 points for George Fox, an NCAA Div. II school.

Miles' career record at OIT is 800-346.