Women bring home third place trophy
KENNEWICK, Washington – Sawyer Kluge hit six 3-pointers in the final 10 minutes of the second half to rally the UCC women’s basketball team to a, 82-80, victory over the Southern Oregon Lakers Tuesday at the Toyota Center. The victory secured a third place finish for the Riverhawks in the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament.
“I’m glad I was able to help get our team back in the game,” Kluge said. “We needed someone to give us a spark. I felt so good to shoot well, after not shooting well for so long.”
Kluge finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Ashli Payne finished one assist shy of a triple double. Payne scored a game high 29 points and pulled down 12 boards to go with nine assists. Romanalyn Inocencio added 13 points and six assists.
This year marked the second straight season UCC has won a NWAC south region conference title while making the final four of the championship tournament.
“It hurt when we lost yesterday, but I’m glad we came out and won and left on a good note,” Pilialoha Kailiawa said. “I’m proud of this team and especially my sophomores. I would like to thank them for making this such a great experience. I love these girls.”
Tuesday’s game was the final time sophomores Marcy Ortiz, Kayla Bice, Breannie Robinson, Kailiawa, Inocencio and Payne wear a Riverhawk uniform.
“These past two years have been amazing,” Ortiz said. “I can’t imagine playing for a different team or finding a greater group of girls. Everyone gave everything they had this season. I’ll never forget this team, or this year.”
SWOCC – Aminata Cole 7-20 9-12 23, Bembry 3-6 2-2 10, Lee 8-16 3-4 20, Daniels 1-6 0-0 3, Barfield 0-4 0-0 0, Davison 6-12 2-2 19, Torres 2-5 1-2 5, Edwards 0-1 0-0 0. Totals – 27-70 16-20 80.
UMPQUA – Ashli Payne 11-20 2-5 29, Inocencio 5-11 1-1 13, Kluge 8-19 3-4 25, Mumm 1-7 0-0 2, Robinson 1-6 3-4 5, Bice 0-2 0-0 0, Kailiawa 0-0 0-0 0, Pape 1-3 0-2 2, Ortiz 1-3 0-0 2, Jackson 2-5 0-0 4, Davis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals – 30-77 9-16 82.
HALFTIME SCORE – SWOCC 44-40.
3-Point Shots – SWOCC 10-18 (Davison 5-8, Bembry 2-2, Lee 1-1, Torres 1-2, Daniels 1-4), UCC 13-30 (Kluge 6-13, Payne 5-10, Inocencio 2-3). Turnovers – SWOCC 14, UCC 12. Rebounds – SWOCC 45 (Cole 12), UCC 50 (Payne 12). Assists – SWOCC 19 (Bembry 6), UCC 21 (Payne 9). Fouls – SWOCC 16, UCC 17.