The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) women’s basketball team are back in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) playoff tournament, a year after missing out on postseason play.
The Clippers crushed Highline Community College 81-38 at the Thunderdome on Feb. 12 before losing to heated rival Lower Columbia College 67-57 at Longview on Feb. 15.
"I'm really proud of our team for continuing to push through and continuing to work together to get to this point. These girls have earned the opportunity to get to play at the tournament," said Head Coach Darah Vining.
"It's a fun feeling; it's new for some of them. So, it's going to be exciting to see how they take it all in."
The Clippers missed out on last year’s NWAC tournament with a 4-8 conference record.
They will end the regular season at home against the Green River Gators on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The Clippers secured their return to the NWAC Tournament in dominant fashion, as they rinsed the Thunderbirds 81-38.
The game was a Clippers masterclass as they led in all departments, whether it was in field goal percentage (42.3% vs 23.0%), rebounds (55 vs. 29), or turnovers (13 vs. 16).
Taylor Teeple led the scoring with 26 points, while raking 17 rebounds for another double-double this season.
Teeple wasn't the only one with a double-double, as Vy Tran put up 13 big points of her own along with 19 boards in the game.
In the battle for the top teams in the West Region, the Clippers lost 67-57 to the Lower Columbia College Red Devils in Longview.
After a slim lead in the first quarter, the hosts started to pull away late into the second quarter and early in the third, as they extended their lead up to 16 points. SPSCC tried to inch close in the finale but was just too late.
Monroe Mastro led the Clippers in scoring with 20 points, while Jaynee Tanner contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds.
"When we got there, we had a plan, and they rocked us a little bit with their press. But at the end, our girls started to fight back but it just wasn't enough to be able to turn that game around," Vining said.
"It's a great learning lesson, and we're going to see similar teams and how they play at the tournament. To learn now versus later is a positive."
Data and quotes are courtesy of South Puget Sound Community College Athletics.
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