Clippers Use Size Advantage to Top Blazers

CENTRALIA, Wash. - Men's basketball looked to secure their first west region win as they visited Centralia for a matchup with the Centralia College Blazers. The Blazers, who have struggled this season, entered the game confidently following their blowout win over Grays Harbor. South Puget Sound had a clear size advantage with no Blazer listed above 6'5," and they looked to exploit that early as they pounded the ball into 6'8" Alejandro Cybak. Along with Cybak, the Clippers have gotten outstanding performances from fellow big men Justin Hicks and Lorenzo Moore this year. The trio combined for 31 points and 23 rebounds on the night and were a driving force behind the Clippers securing a six-point advantage at the halftime break. 

The second half opened with Cybak and Hicks connecting on two straight possession to push the lead to ten. Hayden Wakefield paced the Clippers' second-half scoring and connected on nine-of-fourteen shots en route to 21 points and six rebounds. South Puget Sound's lead would stay between six and ten points for most of the second half, and they finished with a nine-point victory. The win marks the first west region win of the season for the Clippers, who moved to 1-1 in region play and 7-9 on the season. 

Up Next: 
The Clippers host the defending conference champion Lower Columbia Red Devils on Wednesday, January 18th, inside the Health and Wellness Center on the campus of South Puget Sound Community College. A live stream of the game will be available on the NWAC Sports Network.