Facing win-or-go-home situations after falling in the opening round of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Basketball Championships, both the Clark College men and women came through with victories in consolation play Sunday at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
In the women’s tournament, the Penguins bounced back from a drubbing Saturday to get some payback with a 62-60 win over Everett, the team that finished Clark’s season last year.
Clark’s men, meanwhile, cruised to a 77-65 victory over Skagit Valley a day after a heartbreaking loss in their opener.
WOMEN: Clark College 62, Everett 60 — With her team facing a 34-19 halftime deficit, Clark coach Nancy Boone gave the Penguins some inspiration from somebody else.
“Whoever used the locker room before us had written on the board ‘Win or go home,’ ” Boone said. “We said we wanted to win. Then we dug deep and played better team basketball.”
Clark’s shooting improved from 21.6 percent in the first half to 56.7 percent in the second as the Penguins outscored the Trojans 43-26 after the break.
Deborah Simmers had 20 points, Kass Cloyd added 13 and Lacey Kruse got a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds for Clark. The Penguins had a 56-34 advantage on the glass.
Anna Work scored 17 points and Tessla Rennie had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Everett.
Clark will play Umpqua at 10 a.m. today.
MEN: Clark College 77, Skagit Valley 65 — Lucas Swanson scored 25 points and Austin Bragg had 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Penguins took a 43-30 halftime lead on the way to victory.
The Penguins made 19 of 21 free throws to maintain their advantage in the game.
Justin King scored 25 points and Jeremy Juarez added 14 for the Cardinals.
Clark will play Yakima Valley at 10 a.m. today.
Progress of all NWAACC Tournament games can be followed at www.nwaacc.org.
