VANCOUVER, Wash. - In an intense NWAC basketball contest at the O'Connell Sports Center, the Clark Penguins narrowly defeated the Walla Walla Warriors, 59-57, on January 2, 2025. Both teams fought fiercely, with the game coming down to the wire in the fourth quarter.

First Half: Trading Blows

The Penguins started strong, leveraging their inside presence and second-chance opportunities to gain an early edge. Emily Peabody's sharpshooting, including a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter, helped Clark establish a 19-17 lead.

Walla Walla responded in the second quarter, tightening their defense and keeping Clark to just 10 points. Brielle Magnuson's contributions off the glass and mid-range scoring were pivotal as Walla Walla outscored Clark 12-10 to level the game at halftime, 29-29.

Second Half: Momentum Swings

Clark regained control in the third quarter, with Ella Botnar dominating the paint and adding four critical points. Meanwhile, Jayda Jackson cleaned the boards with 10 rebounds, creating extra possessions for the Penguins.

Despite Clark's efforts, Walla Walla stayed close, thanks to Magnuson's consistent scoring and Hadley Fraas stepping up in the final frame with eight points. A late three-pointer by Macie Milum gave Walla Walla hope, but turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly.

Key Performers

• Clark Penguins:
  Emily Peabody led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 10-of-25 from the field. Ella Botnar and Mia Hicks-Oliver each added 12 points, with Hicks-Oliver providing crucial assists and defensive stops in the final moments.

• Walla Walla Warriors:
  Brielle Magnuson had a standout performance with 16 points and seven rebounds. Hadley Fraas contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while the Warriors' bench chipped in 12 points to keep them in contention.

Decisive Moments

Clark's resilience in the final minutes, particularly their ability to capitalize on turnovers, sealed the victory. The Penguins turned Walla Walla's 17 turnovers into 17 points, showcasing their defensive prowess.

Looking Ahead

Clark improved to 8-5 on the season, while Walla Walla fell to 9-4. Both teams will aim to refine their strategies as they prepare for upcoming league matchups.

The penguins open League play Saturday, January 4th at Lane.  Tip-off is set for 2:00pm.

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