EVERETT — Oh, so close.
Less than a second close.
The Peninsula College women’s basketball team just missed out on an NWAC championship in heartbreaking fashion, as Lower Columbia won 76-75 on a buzzer-beating 3-point shot in overtime.
That shot was made by bench player Chinedu Nnadi, who only had two points before her game-winner, and had only taken three shots all game.
“What an epic game,” said coach Alison Crumb. “It was just an incredible battle. That was the best final I’ve ever seen.
“It was a game for the ages. I don’t think anyone will forget it,” Crumb said.
Crumb stressed that the Pirates players have much to be proud of.
“This team fought so hard all year. It doesn’t change what they accomplished,” she said. “We were the best team in the NWAC until the final second.”
Hometown players Millie Long (Port Angeles) and Hope Glasser (Sequim) each had huge games for the Pirates. Long had 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Glasser had 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
The game was close throughout with neither team able to build up much of a lead. The largest lead of the game was seven points in the third period, by Peninsula. The game was tied 14 times and there were 17 lead changes.
The Pirates played their usual stifling full-court defense to keep the Red Devils’ powerful offense in check, and as usual, Peninsula dominated in turnovers — 31 for Lower Columbia and 19 for Peninsula. Peninsula scored 31 points off Lower Columbia turnovers, while the Red Devils scored just 11. It had been the Pirates’ formula for success all year.
The Pirates got the momentum late, taking a three-point lead in the final two minutes of regulation when Long, who had seven points in the fourth quarter, made a spin move to get around her defender and drove to the basket to make it 59-56.
The Red Devils were able to score a basket in the final minute, then Glasser made a huge play, stealing the ball on defense and getting fouled. She sank two free throws with 22.8 seconds left in regulation to make it 61-58.
Lower Columbia responded with the first of two clutch 3-pointers. The Red Devils’ Michaela Harris hit a 25-foot trey with 9.9 seconds left to tie the game at 61-61. It was the only 3-pointer Harris took all game. Regulation ended at that score as neither team got a shot off in the final 9.9 seconds.
The overtime saw another five lead changes. With 30.3 seconds left and the Pirates down 73-72, Glasser calmly sunk two more free throws to give Peninsula a one-point lead.
Lower Columbia made a huge mistake with 15 seconds left, turning the ball over on a traveling call. The Red Devils were forced to foul and Itaua Tuisaula hit one of two free throws with 14.5 seconds left to give the Pirates a 75-73 lead.
Peninsula played good defense on the ensuing possession, causing the Red Devils to scramble in the offensive end. The Pirates had Harris cornered at the elbow of the 3-point line, but she was able to pass the ball to Nnadi at the top of the arc. Nnadi, who had only played 13 minutes all game and had only taken three shots, was left all alone and hit nothing but net on her shot at the buzzer.
Crumb said it was a brief breakdown in the Pirates’ defense — from a team that had played great defense all game and all during the NWAC tournament — on the shot leaving Nnadi unguarded.
The shot was so close to the buzzer, it had to be reviewed. Replay showed that Nnadi had gotten the shot off with 0.8 seconds left in overtime.
Tuisaula scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Madison Cooke and Amari Brown each scored six points.
Crumb said the players are grateful Monday for the year that they had. Peninsula finished 24-4 on the season.
“Hopefully, this inspires our freshmen to put in the work for next year,” she said. She was also grateful for all the support shown by the community and the large contingent of Peninsula College fans that attended.
“I’m so happy to be part of this community,” she said.
Lower Columbia 76, Peninsula 75 OT
LCC 15 16 14 16 15 — 76
PC 12 21 15 13 14 — 75
Lower Columbia (76) — Noyes 20, Schmidt 16, Harris 15, Novelli 11, Mace 6, Nnadi 5, Castillo 3.
Peninsula (75) — Long 22, Glasser 20, Tuisaula 13, Cooke 6, Brown 6, Kaganak 4.
Peninsula College’s Hope Glasser drives the baseline against Lower Columbia’s defense. Also in on the play is Glasser’s teammate Millie Long. (Jay Cline/Peninsula College Athletics)
