EVERETT, WA – The season came to an end for the Umpqua women’s basketball team on Friday morning as the Riverhawks had another tough day at the gym offensively and lost 66-59 to Spokane in the consolation bracket of the Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament.
Umpqua fell behind 6-0 to start the game, but fought back to keep the match within one possession the rest of the first half, even taking a two-point lead midway through the second quarter. Spokane led 25-24 going to the halftime break.
The Riverhawks pulled ahead 43-40 by the end of the third quarter and stretched their advantage to five points at 53-48 midway through the fourth quarter, but they again lost their offensive touch over the final five minutes. Spokane rallied to finish the game on an 18-6 run for the victory.
The rally was sparked by a controversial no-call. Spokane’s Bri King got out in transition on an defensive rebound. She attacked the basket, but lost the ball while airborne. King caught her own air ball, but was not called for a travel. Spokane kept the possession and later hit a 3-pointer to draw within two. Spokane stole Umpqua’s ensuing possession and tied the game up at 53-53 with just over 4:30 to play.
The two sides traded baskets over the next few possessions. Spokane took the lead for good on a King 3-pointer with 1:34 left to play.
The Lady Riverhawks shot just 3-for-18 (16%) from behind the arc and fell well below their season average of 50-percent shooting from the floor.
Sawyer Kluge scored 20 points to lead Umpqua and Anna Mumm added 17. No other Umpqua player finished in double figures. Gese Gruber led Spokane with 17 points.
Spokane moves on to face Centralia in the fourth place game on Sunday morning. Umpqua ends its season with a 25-8 record and falls short of placing at the NWAC Tournament for the first time in three years.
– Joey Keeran | joey@bciradio.com | @joeykeeran
