Peninsula Defense Swarms Centralia in 60-35 Sweet 16 Victory

PASCO, Wash. – The Peninsula Pirates used a complete team defensive effort to take down the Centralia Trailblazers 60-35 on Friday afternoon in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Golf Universe, at Columbia Basin College.

Entering the tournament with the top-ranked defense, the No. 1 Pirates (22-2) showed just why on Friday. The Pirates held the Blazers to 25.5 percent shooting for the game including a 2-for-18 (11.1%) mark from beyond the arc. The Pirates had seven steals and forced 15 turnovers overall while giving the ball away just eight times offensively. They also enjoyed a 47-29 advantage in rebounding.

Shania Moananu led the team with 14 points and four assists, doing much of her scoring from the free throw line as she went 10-for-12. Jenilee Donovan had 10 points while Talia Marini added eight with four boards.

Centralia was led by Foai Pula who had 11 points. Maya Barnett added 10 points and six rebounds. The Trailblazers (14-13) finish a resurgent season with a return to the NWAC tournament after missing it in 2023.

Peninsula will move onto the Elite 8 and take on No. 2 Umpqua on Saturday at 2 p.m.