PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland CC overcame a 19 point second half deficit, coming all the way back to defeat Clackamas CC last night at Cascade Gym, 96-90,

Earlier this season the visiting Cougars handed PCC their only region loss of the season. Clackamas were anxious to repeat the result, and looked to be on their way after forging a 54-43 lead at halftime.

The first 10 minutes of the second half continued the trend, with the Cougars slowly extending the lead to 81-62 with 10:28 on the clock.

The momentum completely changed at that point as the Panthers rattled off a 21-2 run, eventually tying the score at 83-83. From there, the game was tied two more times until back to back scores from Brandon Hopson put Portland in the lead for good.

Jahvari Martino led four Panthers in double figures with 26 points.

The result was a fitting tribute to former PCC athlete Chris Bendle, who tragically passed away in 2020. The Panthers designate one home contest per year to his memory and bring awareness to the Chris Bendle Memorial Scholarship fund created in his honor.