Trailing by 10 midway through the third quarter, the Chieftains closed the game on a 28-5 run to rally.
Isaiah Smith scored seven of his game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Columbia River turned up the defensive pressure to turn the 3A Greater St. Helens League game its way.
“Defense won us the basketball game,” Columbia River coach David Long said.
The Chieftains (13-2, 7-0 in league) had 13 steals in the game, many of them off of full-court pressure that helped shift momentum.
Chad Love made six steals and Devin Bolds made four steals, and the host Chieftains had 13 takeaways in the game.
Ryan Bassett scored seven consecutive points early in the fourth quarter to help River surge in front midway through the final period.
River’s Smith grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Coach Long said improved defensive rebounding by his team in the second half was instrumental in the outcome.
“It didn’t look good for us,” Long said. “We were getting outplayed. Hudson’s Bay played really well tonight.”
Jahmile Sipaia had a team-high 14 points for the Eagles (3-12, 2-5), and TJ Brumfield added 10 points.
COLUMBIA RIVER 49, HUDSON’S BAY 36
HUDSON’S BAY — Micah Fitzpatrick 0, Andy Phu 3, Jacob Buslach 6, Dewayne Whitley 0, Ane Sipaia 3, Jahmile Sipaia 14, TJ Brumfield 10, O’Shea Jackson 0. Totals 14 (2) 6-12 36.
COLUMBIA RIVER — Devin Bolds 8, Eli Evenson 0, Rian Bassett 9, Jon Hanberg 3, Chad Love 7, Austin Cloyd 1, Mack Stromme 4, Isaiah Smith 17. Totals 18 (2) 11-18 49.
Hudson’s Bay 16 7 9 4—36
Columbia RIver 12 9 8 20—49
JV — River 70-36. C — River 72-31.
