ROSEBURG, Ore. - Hoping to clinch a playoff spot with a road win, Portland CC instead fell to a strong Umpqua CC team, 77-61.

The host Riverhawks and the Panthers are in a battle for 3rd place in the NWAC South standings, and Umpqua now enjoys a one game lead after today's result.

Umpqua got off to a hot start, and led 32-21 after one quarter. The 2nd quarter slowed to a crawl - each team scored just seven points over the 10 minutes of play.

PCC tried to make the comeback in hostile territory, and managed to cut the 11 point halftime deficit to 54-46 after the 3rd quarter. It was not to be however, as UCC pulled away in the final period and led by as many as 19 points.

Nia Bradley was the top scorer for the Panthers, dropping in 13 points. India Gultry added 11 points. Post Iris Cubit was in foul trouble all game and finished with eight points and five rebounds.

The Panthers will have to wait one more game to learn their post season fate. A win next week versus Clark, or a loss by 5th place Chemeketa will put them in the playoffs.