Clark College women defeat Tacoma

Lacy Kruse had 12 points and 12 rebounds and was one of five Clark players to score in double figures as the Clark College women’s basketball team beat Tacoma 77-70 on Wednesday.

Debbie Simmers and Haley Smith had 14 points each, and Kass Cloyd and Macy Mukensnabl added 13 each for Clark (7-8, 5-2 NWAACC).

“Lacy just decided that was her focus,” Clark coach Nancy Boone said. “She wasn’t going to worry about points. She was just going to get rebounds. And she’s been playing really well.”

Kruse left Wednesday’s game early with an ankle injury.

Clark’s defense forced 23 turnovers from Tacoma, which proved to be the difference.

“We did not put forth our best effort,” Boone said. “We had too many turnovers (14). We played as if were in a fog, and we need to get out of our fog and just play.

“But a win’s a win. A coach is never satisfied.”

Clark plays next on Saturday at Pierce in Tacoma.

CLARK 77, TACOMA 70

TACOMA — Bando 6, Pitts 12, Austin 3, Petty 1, Quantz 23, Swayze 16, Scott 7. Totals 27-72 (4-17) 16-24. 70.

CLARK — Janae Davis 4, Clara Russell 4, Carissa Collins 2, Macy Mukesnabl 13, Lacy Kruse 12, Debbie Simmers 14, Kass Cloyd 13, Haley Smith 14. Totals 28-73 (4-12) 17-25 77.

Halftime — Clark 34-25.

Tacoma 90, Clark 64 — Geoff McIntosh hit 6 of 8 3-point attempts to score 19 points and lead Tacoma to the road win.

“They were extremely physical,” Clark coach Mike Arnold said. “They have that reputation, and they really played hard … We didn’t match up with them physically.”

Austin Bragg had 21 points and seven rebounds for Clark. Dan Anderson scored 15 points.

TACOMA 90, CLARK 64

TACOMA — Williams 12, Walker 4, Coby 19, Holmes 4, Johnson 7, Magee 10, Davis 11, McIntosh 19, Tyler 4, Thomas 0. Totals 31-59 (9-19) 19-27 90.

CLARK — Jerrid Hamler 6, Austin Bragg 21, Lucas Swanson 6, Dan Anderson 15, Derek Owens 0, Blake Bowen 0, Arman Kalan 6, James Rashad Rollins 0, Max Snodderly 3, Durham Rosser 4, Stephon Hopkins 3, John Craig 0. Totals 25-56 (4-13) 8-16 64.

Halftime — Tacoma 37-22