Spencer Long scored 26 points and sparked a key third-quarter run with a four-point play for the Chieftains.
After Kelso scored the first six points of the second half to close with 28-26, Long hit a 3-pointer and was fouled. He made the free throw to put River up 32-26, then Jacob Hjort made three consecutive 3-pointers to widen the margin to 41-26.
Hjort finished with 12 points and Andrew Vickers added 10 for River.
COLUMBIA RIVER 66, KELSO 46
COLUMBIA RIVER — Jordan Hall 3, Andrew Vickers 10, Jacob Hjort 12, Nathan Hockhalter 9, Ridge Lahti 1, Spencer Long 26, Nasseen Gutierrez 0, Spencer Black 6. Totals 22 (7) 15-17 66.
KELSO — Emmitt Kinch 3, Peyton Noah 2, Riley Noah 6, Jared Bowlby 9, Christian Huntington 10, Shaw Anderson 2, Nick Moore 14. Totals 17 (3) 9-17 46.
