Cole Hardy hit two key buckets in the final three minutes then gathered a big offensive rebound with eight seconds left as the Lower Columbia men's basketball team defeated Centralia 82-78 on Tuesday May 19^th.
 
With the score tied 73-73 with 3:16 left, Hardy hit a jumper and then followed with a lay-in to get the Devils up by four.  He then preserved it when he streaked in and got the offensive board forcing the Blazers to foul.
 
Taylor Pomeroy went 4 for 5 at the free throw line inside of a minute to put a capper on the win.  LCC goes to 7-1 on the season.
 
Sherman Royal III led LCC with 17 points and 12 rebounds.  The freshman from Florida also keyed a second half 8-0 run that was key in the back-and-forth rivalry game.
 
Hardy's heroics were part of a 15 point, eight rebound night for the freshman from Salem, Oregon.
 
Pomeroy had 14 points and Dawson Fritz scored 12 points.
 
The Devils got good bench play from Rarey Sommer (8 points) and Marlon Lundgren-Garcia (6 points, 4 Rebounds).
 
Point guard Ky-mani Pollard had a solid floor game with four points, seven assists and four rebounds.
 
The Blazers were led by the game high 32 points from James Harding.
 
The Devils will close out the season Friday May 21^st with a home game against Grays Harbor.  Tip time is 5 pm.  Prior to the game, the Red Devil departing sophomores will be honored and each Red Devil player will be allowed two family members to attend the game.