Clark headed to championship tournament

Clark's men's basketball team suffered its first conference loss of the season on Feb. 6, but bounced back to clinch a NWAACC playoff berth with Monday's 88-71 victory over Lower Columbia.

Clark subdued the Titans in the championship game of the Wenatchee Valley Crossover Tournament on Dec. 18, 81-71. A win and a Green River Gators loss to the South Puget Sound Clippers on Feb. 8 would have clinched a playoff birth for Clark.

The Clippers vs. Gators game went in favor of the Penguins with a 67-66 overtime win for South Puget Sound.

Tacoma, the defending West Conference champions, received their only conference loss against the Lower Columbia Red Devils on Jan. 25. The Titans fell 76-72 in Longview.

Coach Mike Arnold said that the main reason for Clark's defeat was the defense. "We got beat at the point of attack."

Arnold is planning to improve the team's defense and work on executing their offense for the road game against the Titans, which will be on Feb. 18. "It's not a rocket science," said Arnold.

"This loss has opened our eyes that we're not perfect," said Center Blake Bowen. The 6-foot-10 center was third in scoring for the Penguins with 14. He was second in total rebounds with 11.

Clark's leading scorer was guard Derek Owens with 18. Forward Austin Bragg lead the Penguins with 14 rebounds.

"I think that as a player, you're never satisfied with your individual performance. You always feel like you could do more," Bowen added. "Besides, it's all about a team effort."

Clark was 25 for 68 from the field including five 3-pointers. Tacoma was 30 for 67, with five 3-pointers of their own.

The score at half time was 33-32 in favor of Tacoma.

Clark's biggest lead of the night, held on four separate occasions, was by two. All of Clark's leads were during the first half, never once during the second. Clark was able to tie it up twice during the last five minutes, with the last time at 64 points each.

Tacoma pushed their lead to 13 twice in the second half, weathered several Clark rallies and escaped the O'Connell Sports Center with an important conference win.

The Penguins picked up a crucial road win in Auburn on Feb. 11, taking down Green River 95-87. Freshman guard Dominique Giles lead the Clark attack with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Derek Owens added 12 points and dished out 10 assists.

Clark defended its home turf on Feb. 13, beating Lower Columbia 88-71, and earning a berth in the 2012 NWAACC playoffs. Forward Austin Bragg and guard Dominique Giles each scored 19 points and Sophomore Lucas Swanson contributed 17 points. The Penguins now stand at 11-1 in conference and are tied for first place with Tacoma.

Clark has two remaining home games this season with two road games in between.

The first home game will be on Feb. 15 against the Pierce Raiders. Competition will begin at 8 p.m. and has been dubbed Clark Student Appreciation Night.

The second home game, the season finale for the Penguins, will be on Feb. 25 against Grays Harbor. Tip-off is 5 p.m. and the evening has been designated Hall of Fame Night, in recognition of the Hall of Fame ceremony taking place earlier that day.

"We have great fans," said Bowen. "Towards the end of the season, that's when they get more excited."

The remaining road games include the rematch against the Titans and a trip to Centralia College on Feb. 22 to face the Trailblazers.