Men’s Basketball Secures First Conference Win

Story by: Grant Clark

Olympia, WA- Mekhi Speller-Hale scored a game-high 21 points, Justin Hicks added 16, and the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) men's basketball team notched its first Northwest Athletic Conference West Region victory of the season with an 83-75 win over Grays Harbor College at the Health & Wellness Center on January 22.

The Clippers, who evened their conference record at 1-1 with the victory, led 50-34 at the half against the Chokers, shooting 20 of 36 from the field (55.6 percent) and getting 13 points from Speller-Hale.

SPSCC never trailed in the contest and grabbed their largest lead of the game on a Jason Montes layup with 36 seconds remaining in the first half. That 19-point advantage, however, was trimmed to five points with 15:51 to play before the Clippers' defense put the clamps down late in the game, limiting Grays Harbor to just one field goal over the final 3 minutes.

SPSCC matched a season-high with 10 3-pointers as Hayden Wakefield connected on three from long range and Speller-Hale and Hicks each knocked down two 3s.

SPSCC also received nine points from both Wakefield and Ethan Dillon, while Montes dished out six assists.

The win over the Chokers came following an 82-67 home setback against Highline College on January 19.

Montes finished with a team-high 15 points in the loss against the Thunderbirds with Speller-Hale and Hicks both adding 10 points.

SPSCC will play its next four games on the road. South Puget Sound Community College men's basketball returns home on Saturday, February 12 against Pierce College. All Clipper games can be streamed live on the NWAC Sports Network.