Gators Overcome 22-Point Deficit to Defeat Knights 58-56 in NWAC Sweet 16

PASCO, Wash. – In a tale of two halves, the Green River Gators overcame a 22-point deficit to defeat Wenatchee Valley 58-56 in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Sun Pacific Energy, on Wednesday at Columbia Basin College.

The #1-seeded Gators (21-3, 11-1 West) were making their first tournament appearance since 2004 and came out of the gates slowly, finding themselves down 32-10 with 3:16 to play in the second quarter. A 16-4 run to end the half sparked the incredible comeback for Green River. The Knights had an opportunity for the game-winning shot, but their last second three-pointer did not connect.

The #4-seeded Knights (13-14, 10-6 East) got off to a hot start especially on the defensive end. WVC did not allow a point for nearly seven minutes as they got out to a 8-0 lead. The Knights continued to pour it on in the second quarter, going on a 15-0 run to lead 27-8.

After shooting 1-for-19 in the first quarter, the Gators turned things around in the third and shot 9-for-16, eventually taking their first lead 38-36 with 5:42 to play. The incredible comeback was capped by a 30-4 run over about seven minutes of play.

The Gators had four players with at least nine points, led by Janae Kalama and Sadi Clemons who each had 11 points. Abigail Mundy finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Knights' Alexes Stein led all players with 22 points while pulling down nine rebounds. She shot 10-for-15 from the floor. Ciahna Oatman added nine points and eight boards.

The Gators move onto face #2-seed Clackamas in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW NWAC SPORTS