Clark College hoop teams swept at Highline

PJ Bolte scored 20 points and Highline took advantage of Clark College turnovers to escape with a 62-60 win on Monday in Northwest Athletic Association of Community College men’s basketball play at Des Moines.

Highline scored 17 points off of 19 Clark turnovers, countering the Penguins’ sizeable rebounding advantage in the tight game.

Austin Bragg had 18 points and eight rebounds for Clark (12-8, 6-5 West Division), Arman Kalan added 14 points and 11 boards, five of them offensive.

Highline (14-4, 7-5) made 11 steals, committed only seven turnovers and had 17 assists on 25 field goals. That efficient floor game countered Clarks 53-38 rebounding advantage.

The Penguins host South Puget Sound on Wednesday.

Highline women 69, Clark 41 — Heritage High grad Clara Russell scored a team-high 17 points for Clark but it wasn’t nearly enough against the NWAACC West Division second-place team.

Highline (13-7, 9-1) outrebounded Clark 49-35, had 18 assists to four for Clark, and benefitted from 32 Clark turnovers in winning its five consecutive game.

“They pressed and we didn’t handle it well,” Clark coach Nancy Boone said.

The Clark women (9-10, 7-4) will earn a forfeit win on Wednesday as they are scheduled to play South Puget Sound, which had to cancel its season due to a lack of players.