PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland CC women's basketball punched their ticket to the NWAC Championship Tournament with a 59-39 win over Chemeketa tonight.
After both teams finished the South Region schedule with a 10-6 record, a play-in game was necessary to break the deadlock and send the winner to the tourney as a 4th seed.
The Panthers led this one wire-to-wire, but were not able to put the Storm away until the 4th quarter. PCC led by 10 at halftime, then pushed out their advantage to 16 points (36-20) with 6:29 to play in the 3rd quarter.
Chemeketa made their final rally at that point, going on a 12-2 run to cut the gap to seven. Lilly Walker hit a three pointer at the quarter buzzer to give PCC momentum into the final period, and the Panthers took full advantage.
Portland held Chemeketa to a single field goal in the quarter, allowing the home team to stretch out a lead that grew to as much as 24 points. The result sends the Panthers to the NWAC Tournament for just the 3rd time in program history.
Iris Cubit scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a vintage performance for the sophomore. Lilly Walker added 15 points by making all five of her three point attempts.
Portland will face Columbia Basin in the first round of the tourney on Saturday, March 9th at 12:00 pm.
