The Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s basketball team almost soared into next week’s NWAACC tournament riding the high of an incredible comeback victory.

But visiting Umpqua had other ideas Wednesday night, holding off a late rally by Southwestern to win 83-76 in the regular-season finale at Prosper Hall.

The Lakers finished the season 20-9 overall and 9-5 in league play, tied for second with Clackamas in the South Region, though the Cougars will have the No. 2 seed for the tournament after edging Chemeketa 106-105 in another game Wednesday. Southwestern will face Highline, the third-place team from West Region, in the tournament opener at 8 a.m. next Thursday at Tri Cities, Wash.

The Lakers can go into the event knowing they pushed the South Region champion Riverhawks to the limit despite playing without one of their best inside players, Matt Dance, sidelined for the game with an injury.

Umpqua repeatedly went inside to Tyler Barnes and Edwin Richardson in the first half, while leading by as many as 10 points.

The Lakers came out of the locker room determined to make a better showing in the final 20 minutes.

“The first half, they wanted it more,” said North Bend graduate Tyler Leman. “(We had) a low energy level.

“We came in at halftime down seven and we didn’t play SWOCC basketball at all. We came out in the second half a lot better.”

The Lakers improved their defense and their offensive movement after halftime, but still couldn’t dent the Riverhawks’ lead for a long time.

Umpqua led 70-57 with seven minutes to go before the Lakers mounted a furious charge fueled by several hustle plays that resulted in turnovers by Umpqua.

“It was like a spark of energy,” Leman said of the comeback. “Coach said we just have to step it up big time. We made a couple plays on the floor so we could get the crowd into it.”

Emmanuel Olekaibe scored inside, Joseph Foster hit a 3-pointer and Bobby Watkins had a fast-break layin off a steal that cut the Umpqua lead to 70-64.

After a free throw by the Riverhawks, the Lakers went on a 10-2 run.

Olekaibe scored and Kevin Reynolds had a free throw. Then Foster faked a 3-pointer and passed inside to Reynolds for a layin.

After Richardson scored for the Riverhawks, Ian Phillips hit a 3-pointer from the wing and Leman had a tip-in to give Southwestern its only lead of the game at 74-73.

With the home crowd roaring, Umpqua got the ball in to Richardson for two points and then Barnes scored another basket.

Olekaibe cut the lead to one with two free throws with 43 seconds to go, but the Lakers didn’t score again and Jarrad Childs made four straight free throws to clinch the victory for Umpqua.

Olekaibe, who led the Lakers with 24 points, said the loss was disappointing, but the comeback was a positive moment in the defeat.

“We can build on that,” he said. “We were down by double digits. (Then) we had the lead.”

The crowd, one of the biggest of the season because of an anniversary celebration centered around the basketball game, played a role in the rally.

“That was fun,” Olekaibe said. “The crowd is momentum. We feed on the crowd.”

In the end, the Riverhawks were able to overcome all that momentum, led by Richardson, who had a game-high 31 points. Kenan Dizdarevic added 20, Childs 15 and Barnes 13. Umpqua also had a 51-33 rebounding edge, with Richardson grabbing 10 boards.

Umpqua coach Donell Morgan said the game was a great way to build momentum for the tournament.

“I think it doesn’t set up any better for us to be able to finish on the road against a quality opponent and a well-coached team like SWOCC,” Morgan said. “It’s good basketball. It doesn’t get any better on this level than Umpqua-SWOCC.

“I was just happy we were able to come out on the (winning) end.”

Morgan said he expects the Lakers to make a nice run in the tournament next week.

“They’re going to do well at the NWAACC tournament,” he said.

The Lakers will be making their first trip to the tournament under coach Trevor Hoppe, now in his third season.

The players are excited by the prospect of the trip to Washington for the 16-team event.

“I never went to the playoffs before,” said Olekaibe. “This is a new experience for me.

“With six sophomores, we should be fine.”

Hoppe said the team’s attitude in the final game shows why the group can do well next week as well.

“These guys are competitors,” he said. “Our playoff spot was set, but we wanted to win this game.

“(Umpqua) is a good team. They were disappointed they lost the game. They’ll bounce back.”

Without Dance inside, Olekaibe led the Lakers with 11 rebounds. Foster had 17 points and Reynolds added 12. Watkins had 11 assists and four steals and Foster added six assists and three takeaways.

Before the game, Olekaibe, Foster, Watkins, Phillips, Dance and Karlton Grant were honored as sophomores in their final home game. In addition, past Southwestern great Lamont Swinson, who went on to be an All-American at Oregon Institute of Technology, was an honorary captain.

Umpqua 83, Southwestern 76

UMPQUA (83): Edwin Richardson 31, Kenan Dizdarevic 20, Jarrad Childs 15, Tyler Barnes 13, Jordan Snook 4, Brian Williams.

SOUTHWESTERN (76): Emmanuel Olekaibe 24, Joseph Foster 17, Kevin Reynolds 12, Ian Phillips 8, Bobby Watkins 7, Tyler Leman 6, Karlton Grant 2, Alex Demith, Nick Guidice.

Halftime: Umpqua 41-34.