SALEM — Walla Walla Community College struggled here Saturday in the second of back to back games, but found a way.
The Warriors edged a hot shooting Chemeketa 82-80.
The Warriors with the win and the 98-65 victory over Lane Friday, close the book on 2017 with a 12-1 record.
The Warrior struggles began with foul trouble and ended with their leading scorer, Cierra Jo McKeown, succumbing to five fouls and fouling out.
“We were behind the whole game,” Warrior coach Bobbi Hazeltine said. “Cierra Jo got two fouls and Teresa (Acock) got two and both sat most of the first half. Teresa survived, but Cierra got her fourth early in the second and had to sit. We struggled without her.”
The Storm led almost all the way, even though the Warrior offense showed life in the second half as the Warriors went to a spread offense, it remained a struggle without McKeown.
Hence, McKeown re-entered with five minutes left and the Warriors down four and found some points, but soon thereafter got her fifth.
“We felt we couldn’t wait any longer,” Hazeltine added. “I called an isolation play for her, and she got her fifth, four of which were offensive.”
The second half was Jade Skidmore time. Skidmore scored 16 of her 18 in the second half. The Warriors finally opened a five point lead in the last minute, but the Storm hit a 3 at the buzzer to run the final to 82-80.
“Jade took over and we had a pretty good second half at the offensive end,” Hazeltine summarized.
“They (the Storm) shot the lights out (53 percent from the floor). We’re going to get everyone’s best effort. It was good for us as we had to play a lot of freshmen which will be valuable down the road.”
Acock, despite foul trouble, led the Warriors with 22.
McKeown finished with 15 after only 28 minutes. Taylor Turner was a perfect four-of-four from the foul line and scored eight.
In Friday’s action, the Warriors had a much easier time. It was the Warriors who shot the lights out, Walla Walla raced to a 53-33 lead over Lane at intermission and substituted liberally the rest of the way.
Acock led the way with 19. McKeown finished with 18. Skidmore and Turner got into the double digit party as Skidmore scored 13 and Turner added 11. In all, 11 Warriors scored in the victory.
The Warriors, 12-1, kick off 2018 with their East Region opener as Spokane visits Wednesday.
WWCC 82, Chemeketa 80
WWCC (82) — McKeown 15, Acock 22, Skidmore 18, Turner 8, Peralez 5, Andrews, Hutchison 4, Radford, Gunter 7, Renfro, Dietrich-Denton 3. Totals 30-52 15-16 82.
CHEMEKETA (80) — Hendricks 15, Smisek 8, Susee 11, Swanson 15, Fahndrich 17, Gambill 2, Brady 5, Hollenbeck 7. Totals 29-55 9-10 80.
WWCC19202221—82
Chemeketa20211920—80
3-point goals — WWCC 7, Chem 13. Total fouls — WWCC 17, Chem 21. Fouled out — WWCC (McKeown). Technical fouls — none. Rebounds — WWCC 26, Chem 25. Turnovers — WWCC 5. Chem 11. Assists — WWCC 10, Chem 15.
WWCC 98, Lane 65
WWCC (98) — McKeown 18, Acock 19, Skidmore 13, Turner 11, Peralez 8, Hutchison 2, Radford 10, Gunter 8, Bowen 1, Dietrich-Denton 6, Andrews 2, Lyon, Renfro. Totals 38-68 12-17 98.
LANE (65) — Lease 5, Briggs 10, Still 3, Hall 8, Carrillo 4, Fielder 6, Tullock 4, O’Malley 5, Carrier 14. Totals 24-53 9-10 65.
WWCC27262421—98
Lane21121118—65
3-point goals — WWCC 10, Lane 2. Total fouls — WWCC 10, Lane 15. Fouled out — none. Technical fouls — none. Rebounds — WWCC 34, Lane 25. Turnovers — WWCC 12, Lane 9. Assists — WWCC 20, Lane 14.
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