This content was published: February 21, 2006. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Panthers Update: Women tie school record
Photos and story by James Hill
The PCC women’s basketball team tied the school record for most wins (9) in a season! They will be playing to break the tie at Mt. Hood (Gresham) this Wednesday, a team they have already beaten this season! Together with the nine wins from last year, Rob Pridemore’s Panthers have the most successful back-to-back seasons (18 wins) in PCC women’s basketball history!
With Portland’s win on Saturday over SWOCC and Lane’s loss at Chemeketa, PCC moved back into a tie for fourth place with Lane. The top four teams in the region will advance to the NWAACC Tournament.
The new Cascade Gym hosted two of its largest crowds in its two year history this past week!
GAMES LAST WEEK
Saturday, Feb. 18
The Portland Panthers tied the school record for wins in a season with a 68-64 victory over the Southwestern Oregon Lakers on Saturday. Erica Moore, 23 points on 9 of 17 shooting, and Krystal Saling, 18 points (7 of 14) and 12 assists, helped sparked the Panthers to tie the record against the Lakers, who had previously beaten Portland 61-56 earlier this season in Coos Bay. Portland built the lead to as many as 15 points in the second half, but an inspired Laker team went on a 25-10 run to eventually tie the game with 10 minutes remaining. Portland, who shot 52% in the second half, took control once again, but the Lakers, who shot 56% in the second half, made things interesting when Kari Adkins hit back-to-back three pointers to once again tie the game with just 30 seconds remaining. However, Saling was able to hit a shot to give Portland back the lead for good, and Aurora Dillon hit two free throws for the final margin. The Lakers were lead by Mellissa Mayse dominant presence in the middle, scoring 22 points on 8 of 13 shooting and pulling down 10 rebounds.
In the men’s game, Portland’s Rory Morgan and Lamarcus Stewart each scored close to 30 points in route to an important 86-73 victory over the Southwestern Oregon Lakers. With Lane Community College’s loss at Chemeketa, PCC moves into a tie for fourth place with Lane. The top 4 teams in the region will advance to the NWAACC Tournament. Portland looked like it was going to cruise to a win early, having lead 38-19 with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. However, the Lakers erased the thoughts of a blowout with a 17-6 run to end the half to cut the lead to 6 at halftime. Portland came out of the halftime energized and quickly pushed the lead back up to double-digits. The Lakers never were closer than 7 the rest of the way. Morgan shot 8 of 13 from the field and 6 of 8 from behind the three point line for 28 points. Stuart was 8 of 16 from the field and 5 of 11 from behind the arc for 27 points. Avery Rosen had 17 points (6 of 9) for the Panthers, while Lakers were lead by Tim Nelson’s 17 points.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
The Clackamas Cougars came out on top 66-61 over the PCC women in a back and forth game that was close to the finish. Neither team lead by more than 7 points throughout, but Clackamas was able to hit their free throws in the second half (15 of 20) to hold on to the win. Inge Pe’a had her best game of the year, and one of the best in the entire conference this season, with 25 points on 9 of 16 shooting and 20 rebounds. Krystal Saling also had 20 points for the Panthers, but it was not enough to overcome the play of the Cougar’s LaToya Hill, who dazzled the crowd with acrobatic moves and speed in route to 23 points and 8 rebounds. The Cougars took a 7 point lead with 18 minutes remaining in the game on an 8-0 run that spanned both halves. Portland then scored 15 of the next 17 points in the game to regain a 6 point lead just three minutes later into the second half. But it was just not meant to be for the Panthers on this night, as the Cougars were able to make the last run, 21-7, to once again obtain a 7 point lead. Portland made it interesting the rest of the way, but the Cougar’s Hill and Rochelle Reeves were able to hit enough of their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
In the men’s game, the Clackamas Cougars took the lead just two and a half minutes into the game and never again relinquished it in a 69-66 victory over the Portland Panthers. Clackamas’ Vaughn led the charge with 29 points on 11 of 17 shooting and 7 rebounds. Portland’s Keith McMurry (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Clint Adell (14 points, 9 rebounds) helped keep the game close throughout, but the Cougars were able to hit key shots when they needed to. Portland stepped up the defense in the second half to cut a 10 point Clackamas lead to 2 with just 11 seconds remaining, but the Cougar’s David Cernin made one of two free throws for a 3 point lead. Portland had a chance to tie, but a steal by Vaughn wrapped up the win for the Cougars.
GAMES THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Feb. 22: PCC Women, Men vs. Mt. Hood Community College, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Gresham, OR
Saturday, Feb. 25: PCC Women, Men at Lane Community College, 4 and 6 p.m., Eugene, OR
GAMES NEXT WEEK
* Wednesday, March 1: PCC Women, Men vs. Chemeketa Community College, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Cascade Campus Gym.
*Jammin 95.5 Street Team Halftime Party
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »