SALEM – It was a bounce back night for the Umpqua RiverHawks basketball teams at Chemeketa Wednesday.
The No. 4 UCC women doubled-up Chemeketa in the first quarter and ran away with an 84-53 win. Taylor Stricklin and Darian Mitchell combined for 10 3-pointers and scored 25 points each to lead the RiverHawks. Grace Campbell added 11 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double off the bench.
The win keeps the Umpqua women (22-4; 11-2 South) one-game behind Lane Community College (24-2; 12-1 South) for first place in the South Region standings with three games left to play. The RiverHawks also clinched a berth in the NWAC championship tournament with the victory.
The No. 4 Umpqua men also pulled off a win against the Storm on Wednesday. The RiverHawks held off a late rally by Chemeketa for a 78-74 victory.
John Morrill-Keeler scored a game-high 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting. He added five rebounds and three steals. Connor Shaw made his return to action from injury, but only finished with three points. Eric Klekas scored 16 points and passed the 1,000 point mark for his career at UCC.
The Umpqua men (18-8; 11-2 South) remained tied with Lane (22-3; 11-2 South) for first in the South Region standings. The UCC men also clinched a postseason berth with the win.
Up next for the Umpqua basketball teams will be the Clark Penguins on Saturday.