A flurry of first-half threes made all the difference between Centralia College and Lower Columbia College on Wednesday, when the Trailblazers fell to the Red Devils 76-66.

The Red Devils were firing on all cylinders from deep early, as they shot 7 for 11 from three in the first half. The CC offense was able to keep the Trailblazers within striking distance, though, as they trailed by just nine at halftime.

After LCC opened the second half with a bucket, CC went on an 8-0 run to get back within three. Over the next seven minutes, the Trailblazers answered nearly every Red Devil basket, and with 9:03 to play, a Shay Brannon layup made it 55-53.

The Red Devils took over from there, scoring the next six points and ending the game on a 21-10 run.

Despite the final stretch, Centralia College coach Joe Chirhart was pleased with the way his team showed up in front of a packed gymnasium. The crowd was buzzing from the start, and the Tenino band only made the crowd more energetic.

“We seem to play hard in big atmospheres and with better competition,” Chirhart said. “I’m hopeful that this is gonna become a norm here in not just basketball, but all of our sports.

“I was very, very happy with our effort tonight,” he continued. “Maybe we need to work on some execution stuff, but I’m really, really proud of these guys.”

Brannon scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and grabbed three steals, and Andrew Collins added nine points and two rebounds.

Chirhart commended both players, saying that their role inside is even bigger when playing against LCC, which has five players listed at 6’6” or taller.

He added that he was proud of the way they got the ball inside the paint more often, which in turn sent them to the line more.

“We’re there. We’ve lost some other games this year that weren’t even close,” Chirhart said. “You can’t be mad about that one.”

Kevin Williams scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half, and he also dished out 13 assists to post a double-double.

Lance Green scored nine points, while Reilly McIlraith and Clay Morgan both added six. Napavine alum James Grose scored three for LCC.

The Trailblazers are now 2-20 overall and 1-7 in NWAC play, leaving them three games back of Highline for the No. 4 spot. It’s an uphill climb though, as three other teams sit between them in the standings.

“I wanna get some wins,” Chirhart said. “I wanna finish strong … It makes us better competing against these guys. I just want us to continue to grow and continue to fight. We’ll tighten up a couple of the little things and see what we can do.”

CC will be back in action at Tacoma Community College on Saturday for the second game of a women’s-men’s doubleheader.