CENTRALIA, Wash. - Portland showcased a balanced attack yesterday at Centralia College, with six Panthers scoring 10 points or more during a 87-85 win.
The team effort was needed versus the Trailblazers, who proved to be a handful and deserving of their recent #2 ranking in the most recent NWAC Coaches poll.
The first half was tightly contested, with the score tied at 38-38 after 20 minutes of action. Centralia made more field goals, but PCC managed to make four three pointers compared to the hosts single make from distance.
In the second half, the Trailblazers used consistent shooting and nine offensive rebounds to build a small lead that reached nine points (75-66) with 5:58 to play. That's when PCC used a 12-3 run to take a two point lead that they would not relinquish. Jaxson Spafford drilled back-to-back three pointers during the burst.
Centralia did manage to tie the game at 85-85 thanks to a trey from Clay Morgan with 13 seconds left, but Jackson Leach drew a foul while attacking the rim with three ticks left on the clock. The sophomore calmly sank both tries to provide the winning points.Â
Leach finished with 20 points to lead the Panthers. Luke Jessup (13), Vashon Hardges (12), Jace VanVoorhis (11), Jaxson Spafford (11), and Mekhi Muhammad (10) also scored in double figures.
