PASCO, Wash. - The 2023-24 season ended for Portland CC today with a heartbreaking 74-72 loss versus Columbia Basin at the NWAC Championship Tournament.
Fans in attendance enjoyed a classic playoff basketball game that was close throughout and decided on the final play of the game.
PCC found themselves down by one point with under 30 seconds to play. Lilly Walker was fouled with 11 ticks on the clock, and the freshman proceeded to make one of two to tie the game at 72-72.
Columbia Basin then responded at the other end through Trindie Nichols who converted the tough layup with one second left. A desperation heave from the Panthers did not find the mark and the top ranked Hawks escaped with a first round win.
The close final result was unsurprising looking at the stat line. The two teams traded the lead seven times over the 40 minutes of action, and the largest lead from either team was seven points. The game was a bit sloppy with PCC committing 22 turnovers and CBC committing 21. When the teams weren't giving the ball away, they were scoring with it. Portland hit nearly 53 percent of their shots (30 of 57), while the Hawks were 28 of 59 (47 percent).
A key stat that proved to be the difference was free throw shooting. PCC managed to make just 6 of 14 tries, while Columbia Basin converted 10 of 14.
Iris Cubit ended her stellar career at PCC with 21 points and six rebounds. Cara Dinneen added 18 points and six assists.Â
Portland's season ended with a program record of 21 wins.
