The Lower Columbia College men's basketball team captured the West title and a Red Devil is the new all-time rebounding leader after a 95-83 victory at Tacoma on Wednesday February 26^th.
 
With the victory, Lower Columbia captured the league title for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.  The Devils won the championship by themselves when Centralia came up with a 79-74 win over South Puget Sound. The Clippers were hoping for a share of the crown, but LCC has it alone.  The Devils will be the West top seed into the NWAC tournament beginning Saturday March 7^th in Everett.
 
Samaad Hector is truly the "Chairman of the Boards" as he scored 32 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to break the school record for career caroms. Hector passed Mark Herold who had 707 rebounds back in the 1989 and 1990 seasons.  Hector is the new leader with 713 rebounds and has a chance to add to it at the NWAC Championships.
 
Hector was unstoppable as he hit 12 of 15 shots, went 2 for 3 from three-point range and made all six of his free throws.  But rebounding is his game and he split his record-breaking total with seven offensive boards and nine on the defensive glass.
 
"There have been so many great players at LCC and so I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to break the record", said Hector following the game.  "I've worked hard to get to where I am but I have to say my teammates have been great and we have worked hard together to get the league title."
 
Alexis Angeles had a solid game with 17 points, four rebounds and a team-high six assists. 
 
The Devils had a 20 point lead in the second half before the Titans started hitting some shots.  Tacoma got within nine points with just under four minutes to play, but LCC was able to settle down in the final seconds to come away with a huge victory to cap off the regular season. Emmett Linton scored 31 to lead the Titans.
 
Cody Young had 11 points, three assists and two steals.  His first half defense on Linton set the tone for the ballgame. Martis Johnson, Louden Wardius and Jonah Crumpton-Murray had eight points each.
 
The Devils will take an 11 game winning streak into the NWAC Tournament.  LCC will find out the opponent and time during the NWAC Selection Show Sunday March 1^st at 6 pm.  The show will be aired live from Myklebust Gym and will be hosted by Lower Columbia athletic director Kirc Roland.  You can watch the show from the NWAC website: nwacsports.com