The Centralia College women’s basketball team gave itself some cushion in terms of playoff positioning on Saturday, defeating Highline 72-66 to extend its lead on the West’s No. 4 seed.

A loss would have dropped the Trailblazers to the fifth spot, but instead, they now lead by a game and a half with three games to play.

A big third quarter was the difference for CC on Saturday, as the Trailblazers took a 10-point lead after the two sides were tied at halftime.

Ella Baumgarner led the way in scoring with 20 points while adding nine assists and two steals, while Kate Carpenter just missed a triple-double with 12 points, 10 blocks, and eight rebounds. She also added three steals and an assist.

Abi Lundblad also had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, and Marecia Barnett scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, and dealt out three assists. 

The Trailblazers (7-15, 4-5 NWAC) will look to get closer to locking down an NWAC Tournament spot on Wednesday at home against Green River.

Men’s basketball team rallies back, but falls in OT

The Centralia College men’s basketball team battled back from a 19-point deficit to force overtime on Saturday, but couldn’t complete the comeback in the extra frame and lost 75-74.

The Trailblazers trailed 49-30 with just over 12 minutes to play, but a 17-3 run got them back within five with seven to go.

They trailed until just under the two-minute mark, when Andrew Collins hit a free-throw to tie it. With a minute to go, Clay Morgan hit a three to give CC the lead, but the T-Birds responded with a three of their own to send it to OT.

In the extra frame, Tucker Lowber gave the Trailblazers a 74-73 lead with a layup with 42 seconds to go, but Cooper Aitken made the game-winning layup with 12 seconds remaining.

Shay Brannon had a stellar night inside, scoring 16 points and grabbing 18 rebounds for a double-double, while Morgan finished with 15 points. Andrew Collins added 14, while Kevin Williams, Lowber, and Quinton Robinson scored six apiece. Williams also had 11 assists.

CC (2-23, 1-10 NWAC) will look to snap its eight-game losing streak on Wednesday at home against Green River.