Riverhawks Explode in 2nd Half to Defeat Peninsula 73-55, Advance to Final 4

PASCO, Wash. – The Umpqua Riverhawks sealed their spot in the NWAC Final 4 with a decisive 73-55 victory over the Peninsula Pirates on Saturday afternoon at the NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Golf Universe, at Columbia Basin College.

A battle of one of the most dynamic offenses against one of the stingiest defenses went in favor of the offense as the Riverhawks (28-4) put up 73 points on the tough Pirates (23-3) squad. In the first quarter, however, Peninsula held Umpqua to just eight points on 3-for-17 shooting. This continued into the second quarter until the Riverhawks finally broke through with a 16-2 run that pulled them to within one point.

The second half was all Umpqua as they shot 15-for-25 from the floor. They also had an impressive defensive third quarter, holding the Pirates without a field goal on 21 attempts and to just four points. This allowed them to run away with the game late, leading by as many as 20 points.

After breaking the tournament scoring record on Friday with 52 points, Brooklyn Fely was held to a modest 14 points and 16 rebounds by the Pirates. Audrey Miller had a team-high 17 points with four boards. Amaya Afatasi and Emma Aiono each had 13 points.

The Pirates were led offensively by Jelissa Julmist who had 17 points. Alexa Mackey added 13 points and eight rebounds while Ciera Tugade Agasiva had 10 points.

The Riverhawks move onto the Final 4 for the first time since 2019 when they finished as the runners-up to Wenatchee Valley. They will face Walla Walla in the semifinals, which will take place on March 16 at 5 p.m.