PORTLAND, Ore. - After a close first half, Portland CC ran away from Mt. Hood CC to put another game in the win column and inch closer to a playoff berth. The final score at Harold Williams Court was 80-60.

The Panthers were facing a Mt. Hood team that had been playing much better basketball as of late. The first half saw the visiting Saints looking for an upset. PCC trailed by three points (22-19) after the first quarter, then managed to creep ahead to lead 38-36 at the break.

After halftime adjustments by coach Graham McFall, Portland owned the the 3rd quarter and push the advantage out to 59-44. PCC made 9 of 12 shot attempts in the period while also clamping down defensively, holding Mt. Hood to nine points over the 10 minutes of action.

PCC kept the momentum in the 4th quarter as well, leading by as many as 22 points on the way to the key NWAC South win.

The Saints had no answer for Iris Cubit, who scored 24 points on 10 of 13 shooting, while also grabbing 11 rebounds.India Gultry added 14 points and five assists.  

The result moves PCC to 8-5 in NWAC South play with three games to play. A playoff spot can be clinched with one more win, which would be the first post-season berth for PCC women's basketball since 2015.