(Longview, WA) – It took awhile to gain control, but the Lower Columbia women's basketball team got the job done with a 70-53 victory over Pierce on Saturday February 18
th.
Pierce was thinking upset when they took a 35-34 lead with 4:34 left in the third quarter. The Raiders are led by first year head coach Marquessa Gilson who was an assistant for Lower Columbia before taking the head coaching job in Lakewood.
But the Devils went on a 16-2 run to close out the third quarter and took control of the game the rest of the way.
Courtney Swan had a big game for LCC. She scored 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Swan was 7 for 14 from three point range and hit two big trey's during the Devils fateful run.
Katelynn Forner was her usual menacing self with 13 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Aivine Soakai had seven points and seven rebounds for LCC.
Paige Mace had eight points, three boards, two assists and three steals.
The Red Devils forced 24 Pierce turnovers and committed just eight themselves.
The Devils are now 8-2 in the West (second place) and 18-7 overall.
The victory means LCC will get a chance to defend their NWAC Championship at the conference tournament in March. It's the 28
th tournament appearance in school history.
Because Centralia shut down its program this season, the Devils will have Wednesday off. The teams final home appearance will be Saturday February 25
th as they host the Highline Thunderbirds on Sophomore Night. Game time is 5 pm.
