Dolphins Hold Off Gators Late 54-53 to Advance to NWAC Elite 8

PASCO, Wash. – The Shoreline Dolphins stopped the Green River Gators last second shot to earn the tournaments first upset, winning 54-53 in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Golf Universe, on Saturday morning at Columbia Basin College.

Leading by four with 22 seconds to play, the Dolphins (20-8) opened the door for a Gator comeback as they missed a pair of free throws. On the next possession, Green River hit just their third three pointer of the game by Emily Williams to pull with one point 54-53. The Dolphins missed two more free throws on the next possession, giving the Gators one final shot with 10 seconds to play. Sadi Clemons three pointer at the buzzer was just short as Shoreline held onto the win.

The Shoreline defense was tough throughout, holding the Gators to 25.9 percent shooting overall and just 3-for-30 from behind the arc.

Alana Nagata stepped up big for the Dolphins in the fourth quarter, recording 11 of her 18 points in the final 10 minutes. She also added six rebounds. Taylor Eldredge had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals while Taimane Faleafine-Auwae had nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Mary Tessa Pan had 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Gators in a strong all-around game for the sophomore. Alyna Ramirez finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while Sadi Clemons had 12 points and 10 boards.

The Dolphins advance to the NWAC Elite 8 round where they will take on the winner of Columbia Basin vs Portland on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Columbia Basin College.