(Longview, WA) The Lower Columbia Red Devils opened NWAC conference play in dominant fashion, securing a 65-43 victory over the Centralia Trailblazers at Myklebust Gymnasium. The Red Devils set the tone early, jumping out to a commanding 38-19 lead at halftime, fueled by a stifling defense and efficient scoring in the paint.

Kap Laila led the charge with a stellar 25-point performance, shooting an impressive 10-for-17 from the field while pulling down nine rebounds and adding two blocks. David Young provided a spark with 11 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc while collecting four rebounds and four steals.
Keshawn Lewis chipped in with eight points, three assists, and three rebounds, while Javares Reid made his presence felt in the paint with six points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

Lower Columbia's defense smothered Centralia, holding the Trailblazers to just 28.6% shooting from the field and a mere 10% from three-point range. The Red Devils capitalized on turnovers, turning 16 Centralia giveaways into 27 points. They also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Trailblazers 38-31, with Malik Brown leading the way on the boards with eight rebounds to go along with five assists.

Despite a slight scoring dip in the second half, the Red Devils maintained control, using their depth and defensive pressure to keep Centralia from mounting a comeback. The bench contributed 13 points, ensuring a balanced attack throughout the contest.

With the victory, Lower Columbia improves to 14-2 on the season and starts conference play at 1-0. The Red Devils will look to keep their momentum rolling as they head north this Saturday, 1/11/25, for a 4:00 pm tip at Green River College.