Clippers down T'Birds on the road

Olympia, WASH. - Following a tough start that saw the Clippers go 0-3 to start west region play, including losses against the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the NWAC Coaches Poll, the Clippers (10-8, 0-3) hit the road looking for their first region win. Heading into a matchup with the Highline College Thunderbirds (11-7, 2-1), Clippers Head Coach Zach Smith challenged his team to play with more heart and intensity, and they answered the challenge. 

After a back-and-forth first few minutes of the game, the Clippers held a three-point lead heading into the first media timeout. Following the timeout, the Clipper's defensive pressure ignited an 11-2 run, capped by an impressive dunk from freshman Cameron Lawson. After trading baskets with the T'Birds, SPSCC went on a massive run as they outscored the opposition 23-3, led by the all-around play of sophomore standout Jazen Guillory, who posted 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the first half, including two assists to Nehemiah Pollard, who connected on four of his five three-point attempts in the first half. 

The Clippers entered the halftime break with their largest lead of the season and carried the momentum into the second half as they extended the lead to 35 points and cruised to their first west region victory. The win was significant in multiple ways as it ended the Clippers' longest losing streak of the season and proved to the freshman-heavy group that they can win regional matchups on the road, which is no easy feat.