Walla Walla Community College was on fire from deep here Saturday in NWAC East Region men’s basketball action.
The Warriors hit 50 percent from 3-point land, 17-of-34, and sank Columbia Basin 96-55.
“We came out more ready, maybe because of sophomore night, than we’ve been lately,” Warrior coach Jeff Reinland said. “We got our confidence going early.”
With Damen Thacker hitting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Warriors stormed to a 52-23 lead at the break.
The Warriors continued to connect from deep as seven Warriors hit for at least one triple. Thacker, with his five, and Forest Smith with five, led the way in the 3-point shooting frenzy. Jake Costello scored three and David Howard, Leonel Gallegos, and Dillon Young each had one each.
The Warriors shot 55%, 38-69, from the floor for the game, and got everybody involved as 11 players scored. Thacker led the way with 30 poins. Smith checked in with 21. Costello finished with 11, and Jake Albright chipped in 10.
Gabe Vorheis and Ryan Wolf led the Hawks as each scored 12 points.
The Warriors improve to 18-10 overall, and 12-3 in conference. The win clinches the No. 2 East seed to the NWAC tourney as third place Spokane trails the Warriors by two games with one left to play.
The Warriors close out the regular season Wednesday when Big Bend visits the Dietrich Dome.
“We clinched the two seed to the tourney,” Reinland summarized. “We’re still playing to win Wednesday. We will make Big Bend earn it.”
