The Umpqua women square off with the Lane Titans in a battle of unbeatens at the Titan Coliseum on Jan. 29, 2025. (via Umpqua Athletics Instagram)

Riverhawks stumble against Titans in South Region clash for first place

EUGENE — In a rematch of last year’s NWAC championship game, the Lane Titans kept their edge against the Umpqua women’s basketball team with an 88-71 win Wednesday at the Titan Dome at Lane Community College.

The loss was the first of the season for the Riverhawks. Lane remained undefeated and captured sole possession of first place in the South Region.

The contest was a battle of the top two offenses in the conference, but the Riverhawks struggled with their shooting touch against the defending champs. Umpqua (19-1, 7-1 South) made just 5-of-38 attempts (13%) from behind the arc, well below their season average of 30%.

Lane (21-0, 8-0) fed off its home court advantage and made 42% of its 3-point attempts, well above its season average of 32%.

The Titans pulled ahead in the second quarter with a 25-15 advantage and held a 12-point lead going into halftime. Lane stretched the advantage to as much as 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Lane’s starting five did all its scoring, led by Emma McDonald with 25 points. Former Sutherlin standout Micah Wicks had 13 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds.

Brooklyn Fely and Male’ata Polamalu both had double-doubles to lead UCC. Fely had 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Polamalu poured in 22 points with 12 boards.

It was a nailbiter in the men’s game between Umpqua and Lane. The Riverhawks trailed by 12 with about seven minutes left to play, but closed the gap with an 11-0 run. Umpqua still had to battle down the stretch and forced overtime with a Jok Job free throw in the final minute. Lane pulled out a 92-85 victory with a strong showing in the extra period.

The win keeps Lane (15-4, 6-2 South) in a tie with Clark (14-6, 6-2) for first in the South Region standings.

Jayden Haskell led four Umpqua (16-4, 5-3) players in double figures with 22 points. Bowen Davies had a double-double with 18 points and 19 rebounds.

The Umpqua Riverhawks will host Mt. Hood for a league matchup on Saturday.

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