By The Chronicle
OLYMPIA — Rachel Wilkerson came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points and Centralia’s defense was impenetrable once again as the Trailblazers easily triumphed over South Puget Sound 74-43 in a Northwest Athletic Conference road victory Wednesday.
Centralia’s formidable defense held the Clippers to just 22 percent shooting on the night on 15 of 60 shots, while the Trailblazers’ offense shot 43 percent from the field.
Selena Cudney was impressive on both ends of the floor, scoring 12 points and pulling down a game-high 18 rebounds, including 14 on the defensive end. Wilkerson provided big-time play off the bench, shooting 5 of 9 from the field and an efficient 4 of 8 from long range. Centralia outrebounded the Clippers 48 to 26.
The win pushes the Trailblazers’ win streak to seven games and keeps them at a perfect 7-0 in league play. They are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. Hours before the game the Trailblazers were ranked No. 8 in the NWAC’s latest women’s basketball coaches poll. Tonight’s win only solidified that.
Centralia improves to 14-7, 7-0 and is atop the West Division standings with the only undefeated league record. They hold a one-game lead over second-place Lower Columbia (15-7, 6-1).
The Trailblazers hosts Lower Columbia at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in a battle for first place in the division.
OLYMPIA — Centralia held a two-point lead at the break then couldn’t hang on for the win as the Trailblazers took an 84-75 loss to South Puget Sound Wednesday on the road.
Cacoa Chatman broke off a game-high 26 points for the Clippers, one of four who ended up in double-digit scoring, as South Puget Sound drilled 44 percent of their 34 3-point shot attempts to sink Centralia.
The Trailblazers were led by Jerry Boston and Kobe Matsen’s 14 points. Taylor Peppinger added 13, while Tyler Ashmore had a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. L’Marcus Walker had 11 points and eight assists and Elijah Hoover added nine points.
Centralia falls to 8-13, 3-4 on the year and has now lost three straight. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games. They host Lower Columbia at 8 p.m. next Wednesday.
