Centralia's Austin Curry shoots during the first half of an NWAC West Region men's basketball game against Lower Columbia on Saturday night in Centralia.
Centralia's Marqus Gilson lays the ball up during the first half of an NWAC West Region men's basketball game against Lower Columbia on Saturday night in Centralia.
Centralia's Collin Prangley lays the ball up during the first half of an NWAC West Region men's basketball game against Lower Columbia on Saturday night in Centralia.
Centralia's Jaxon Clarke (1) looks for room to drive during the first half of an NWAC West Region men's basketball game against Lower Columbia on Saturday night in Centralia.
The Blazers kept pace with rival Lower Columbia in the first half, but Brandon Cotton heated up in the second half and helped the Red Devils to a 79-66 win here Saturday in NWAC West Region action.
Cotton scored 16 of his game-high 29 points after the break, and the Red Devils turned a 3-point halftime advantage into a double-digit win.
Marqus Gilson came off the bench to lead Centralia with 21 points and added seven rebounds, scoring 16 in the second half. Austin Curry added 14 points and Tyler Meadows notched 10 for the Blazers.
Wesley Gilbert added 16 for Lower Columbia, with Spencer Sweet pitching in 11.
Centralia took a 54-50 lead on a layup by Jephthah Donkor with just under nine minutes left to play, but the Red Devils went on a 20-4 run to build a 70-58 lead with 2 1/2 minutes to go and closed out the win.
Centralia (5-12, 1-1 region) plays at South Puget Sound on Wednesday.
