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Tacoma Wins Overtime Thriller 79-77 over Skagit Valley to Reach NWAC Finals
Posted: Mar 17, 2024

Tacoma Wins Overtime Thriller 79-77 over Skagit Valley to Reach NWAC Finals

Box Score
Game Leaders
W4 Tacoma
Pts: Chae Haynes - 20
Reb: Chae Haynes - 16
Ast: Lareel Stewart - 6
N2 Skagit Valley
Pts: Connor Drinkwine - 21
Reb: Sylas Williams - 13
Ast: Jerry Hayes - 8
Team Stats
Full stats

PASCO, Wash. – The Tacoma Titans continued their Cinderella run from No. 4 seed to the championship game as they defeated the Skagit Valley Cardinals 79-77 in overtime in the Final 4 of the NWAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Golf Universe, on Saturday at Columbia Basin College.

A matchup featuring former Tacoma head coach and current Skagit Valley head coach Carl Howell taking on his former player at TCC Rachi Wortham turned into an outstanding contest that needed overtime to complete. Both the Titans and Cardinals had their opportunity to win the game in regulation, but neither could score the winning bucket to force an extra five minutes of play.

In overtime, the Titans jumped ahead by five points early. The Cardinals responded and took a one-point lead 74-73 with 46 seconds left after a Jacob Bilodeau three pointer. However, the Titans retook the lead and then knocked down four-straight free throws to go ahead by five. A three pointer at the buzzer by SVC cut the final deficit to two points.

The Titans follow in Bellevue's footsteps from a year prior as No. 4 seeds reaching the finals. The Titans have used huge leads in all three games of the tournament to set the tone. Tacoma led 24-2 against Treasure Valley in the Sweet 16, 17-0 against Everett and 17-0 once again in the Final 4 against Skagit Valley. Saturday's game was the first time TCC had trailed in the tournament thus far.

Chae Haynes had a monster double-double for the Titans with 20 points and 16 rebounds. He also went 8-for-12 at the free throw line. Winston Cole had 18 points with four steals. Myles Daymon had 15 points off the bench and Marc Eyman added 11, four assists and three steals.

For the Cardinals, Connor Drinkwine led all players with 21 points. Cinque Maxwell had 20 points and six rebounds. Sylas Williams had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds while Jerry Hayes had 13 points and eight assists.

Tacoma will take on Green River in an all-West Region final on Sunday at 2 p.m. Due to renovations at Green River's home court, the Gators played all their home games at TCC's Titan Gymnasium. The two teams who shared a gym this season will battle for the NWAC title on Columbia Basin's Holden Court.