Elksnis leads Clark men to victory over Umpqua

Ronalds Elksnis had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Clark College men’s basketball team to a 70-49 win over Umpqua of Roseburg, Ore., in the Umpqua Crossover Tournament on Saturday.

Clark will conclude play in the three-day event against Highline at noon Sunday.

Elksnis made 9 of 15 shots from the field.

“It was really his best game of the year,” Clark coach Alex Kirk said of Elksnis. “He was really a man among boys at times out there.”

Once again because of injuries, Clark had only six available players Saturday.

The Penguins jumped to an early lead on Umpqua, but slowed down its offense to conserve energy.

“We really need to save our legs with only six guys,” Kirk said. “But I think that took us out of our rhythm, and it allowed (Umpqua) to get back in the game.”

Clark regained control in the second half. Sean Price finished with 26 points and seven rebounds.

On defense, Clark held Umpqua to 27 percent shooting from the field, and outrebounded the Riverhawks 59-38.

Women

Clark 73, Linn-Benton 64 — Ashlie Nguyen had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Penguins to a win in the Lane Crossover Tournament in Eugene.

Nicolette Bond added 18 points, while Andrea Smith had 12 and Taylor Jackson 11 for the Pengins.

Clark outrebounded the Roadrunners 46-31.