The Lower Columbia College Red Devils finished their regular season strong, battling past Highline for a tight 81-77 victory at Myklebust Gym. With the win, the Devils improved to an impressive 20-5 overall and 10-3 in conference play. More importantly, this hard-fought victory officially secured Lower Columbia the number two seed heading into the NWAC basketball championships.
The Red Devils put together an efficient offensive night, shooting 48.5% from the floor overall. They also shared the ball exceptionally well, dishing out 19 total assists as a team to keep the Highline defense scrambling. Several players stepped up to ensure the victory.
Skyler Schmidt dominated the interior, posting a massive double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding four assists and two steals.
James Grose provided an electric spark off the bench, scoring a team-high 18 points on highly efficient 6-for-9 shooting, including four made three-pointers.
Shane Douma-Sanchez orchestrated the offense brilliantly from the perimeter, contributing 17 points and a team-high five assists.
Noah Schow was a force on both the glass and the scoreboard, narrowly missing a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Lower Columbia's depth and hustle on the margins were the true difference-makers in a game that featured multiple lead changes. The Devils depth outmatched Highline, with Lower Columbia securing 24 crucial bench points. Lower Columbia dominated the effort categories, crashing the glass to turn offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points. The defense forced timely mistakes throughout the game, snagging seven steals and generating 19 points off turnovers.
Lower Columbia also imposed their will inside, racking up 28 points in the paint. Despite strong individual efforts from Highline's Dane Lewis and Ian Prictor, who each scored 14 points, the Flare maintained their composure to close out the final minutes of the second half.
Before turning their full attention to the postseason, the men have one more regular-season game on the schedule. The guys will be on the road Wednesday, February 25 for a 6:00 PM tip against the Grays Harbor Chokers in Aberdeen, Washington.
Following that, with the number two seed officially locked in, Lower Columbia is primed for a deep playoff run. Their first matchup of the championships will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 12:00 PM against either the Lane Titans or the Clark Penguins. The tournament will be held at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington.
