(Longview, WA) – The Lower Columbia men's basketball team played a complete game in front of a large crowd, defeating the red-hot Green River Gators 76-67 on Wednesday February 1
st.
The game featured the cream of the West. The Gators had won eight straight games and were sitting at 6-0 in first place in the West standings. Lower Columbia was a game behind at 5-1.
The Devils came out hot in the first half. LCC built a 17 point lead with 8:49 left before halftime. It was pad that they would need as the Gators climbed back to within six points with 4:46 left in the game. But LCC would hold off the Gators to win by nine. The Devils never trailed in the game.
Cole Hardy had a huge game for Lower Columbia. The third-year sophomore had 18 points and six rebounds. Hardy was 4 for 6 from three-point range including two huge corner threes in the second half to help stave off the Gators.
Sherman Royal III was also outstanding with 17 points, three rebounds and five assists.
Emanuel Steward was very efficient at point guard. He had a game-high six assists to go with his 13 points.
Kaden Horn had 11 points and went 5 for 5 from the charity stripe when the Devils needed it down the stretch.
Although starter
Jonah Zeller had just four points, he blocked two shots and played great defense against Gator seven-footer Zane Foster.
Head coach
Mickey Polis, celebrating his 36
th birthday, got great post play off the bench.
Ashton Harvey had seven points and a team-high eight boards.
Carter McCoy had seven rebounds, five off the offensive glass.
Green River came into the game as the top rebounding team in the NWAC but LCC was relentless. The Devils outrebounded the Gators 38-25.
Jaiden Feroah led Green River with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
In the 105
th meeting between the two schools, the Devils held home court to get a share of the West lead at the halfway part of the league season. LCC has won 10 of the past 13 games against Green River.
LCC is now 16-5 overall as they have the weekend off. The second half of the West schedule is Wednesday February 8
th at Tacoma. Game time is 7:30 pm.
