EVERETT, WA – The Umpqua men’s basketball team used a 19-point first half lead to outlast the South Puget Sound Clippers 66-53 in the quarterfinals of the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament on Friday.
The Riverhawks shot 50% from the floor in the first half and led 38-19 at the break. Umpqua’s defense locked down the Clippers to open the game. South Puget Sound managed to make just 6-of-28 shots (21.4%).
The Clippers rallied some in the second half and cut the deficit down to single digits, but Umpqua was able to stretch the game back out down the stretch.
Derrin Gethers and Daniel Reno each led the way for Umpqua with 12 points apiece. Grant Ellison added 11 points for the Riverhawks.
Umpqua now moves on to the final four, where the Riverhawks will face Tacoma. The Titans have been one of the hottest teams in the tournament, upsetting 1-seed North Idaho and 2-seed Peninsula.
The Final Four round will be played Saturday, March 18. The Riverhawks and Titans tipoff at 2 p.m.
