Brewer’s clutch trifecta leads CC to upset Green River

In a season-saving moment for the Trailblazers, Tumwater grad Luke Brewer made the biggest shot to date, a go-ahead 3-pointer with under two minutes left to lead them to a 68-65 triumph over the Gators on Wednesday night in Auburn.

It puts Centralia (16-10, 6-6 NWAC West) into a tie with Highline for the fourth and final playoff spot. Yet even with the victory, the Thunderbirds have the second tiebreaker with wins over top-four teams in the standings.

Still, CC remains very much alive for a playoff spot heading into sophomore night on Saturday against South Puget Sound, the third-best team in the division.

Brewer, who finished with 14 points, made the final of five 3s for the Blazers to put them in front for good. Julian Ibarra made two free throws in the final moments and Green River's potential game-tying triple was off the mark.

In a game where Centralia led by six at the half, it dominated the paint with a plus-seven rebound differential and plus-12 for points in the paint. Its bench outscored the Gators 24-6.

Shay Brannon led the way for CC with 17 points while Ahren Bee-Richards, Clay Morgan and Quinton Robinson all registered nine points.

Six different Blazers finished with at least four rebounds and Ibarra led them with four assists.

Blazers squander first quarter cushion in loss to Gators

Up by five after the opening 10 minutes, the Centralia College women's basketball team couldn't keep the momentum and eventually lost their second straight NWAC game, this one to Green River 89-64 on Wednesday night in Auburn.

The Gators chomped up the Trailblazers from the moment the second quarter started, outscoring their opposition 63-33. CC only scored four points in the second, shooting 1-of-13 from the field.

It shot 70 percent from the field in the first on 14 made field goals. It converted just 12 field goals over the final 30 minutes.

The loss puts the Blazers at 8-17 overall and 3-7 in the NWAC West. They were paced by Khloe Glover's 19 points while Keiryn Mann registered a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. Abi Lundblad grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.

Up next for Centralia will be sophomore night on Saturday against South Puget Sound.