Pierce College Basketball wins Western Division Title

By Debby Abe

The Raider Men’s Basketball team took another giant step into the Pierce College history books, with an 83-68 win over Green River CC on Saturday night.  The win clinched the Western Division Title, the team’s first since 2007, and just the fourth in the program’s  history.  The win improved the team’s record to 14-1 (22-4 overall), and extended  the Raiders’ winning streak to an amazing 13 games — longest current win streak in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges,  and a program record for the #2 ranked Raiders.
Saturday’s win was another prime example of the Raiders’ balanced team approach to the 2013 season, with five players scoring in double figures.  Tyrell Lewis once again led the way for Pierce, tallying 17 points and grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.  Lewis dished out 6 assists and added 4 steals to add to his NWAACC leading total of 94.  Gary Jacobs chipped in with 16 points, along with John Palmer’s 14 and Chris Parker’s 13.  Devin Matthews added 11 points and led the team with 7 assists.

The Raiders close out the 2013 schedule on Saturday night, when they host the Red Devils of Lower Columbia CC.  The Raiders will recognize their departing sophomores – Tyrell Lewis, John Palmer, and Derek Porter – during a special pre-game ceremony.  Pierce is just one win away from tying the school record for most wins in a season, at 23, and has already set a record for most league wins in a season, with 14.

The Raiders will open the NWAACC Tournament as the #1 seed from the West, and will play the #4 team from the North, at 8:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 2.  The NWAACC Tournament will be held at the Toyota Center, in Kennewick, Wash.

Tags: Pierce College

Category: Lakewood, Pierce College, Sports