Clark Athletics Report: Penguin hoops set for NWAC play

The Clark basketball teams open NWAC South play this week, both teams traveling to Roseburg, Ore., to face Umpqua on Saturday. The conference home opener is next Wednesday against Mt. Hood.

The goal is to finish in the top four of the standings to reach the postseason. The Clark men have not made the postseason since the 2016-17 season. The Clark women have not been in the postseason since 2014-15.

Lane is the defending South men’s champion, but the top three last season were separated by just one game. Clackamas (11-1) has started the season ranked No. 1 in the NWAC coaches poll, and Umpqua (12-1) is tied for fifth in the poll.

The top four teams in the women’s standings — Umpqua, Clackamas, Linn-Benton and Lane — went a combined 45-5 in non-conference play. The Umpqua women, the NWAC runner-up the last two seasons, lead the way at 13-0 and are ranked No. 1 in the NWAC coaches poll.

Men’s basketball

Record: 7-5 overall

Upcoming schedule

• Clark at Umpqua, 4 p.m. Saturday (NWAC South opener)

• Mt. Hood at Clark, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8

Recap of recent results

The Penguins closed out the non-conference schedule with a 98-63 win over the Pacific University JV squad on Monday. Clark has won its last two games

Stat leaders

• Scoring: Dylan Hushaw 15.6 per game; Ethan Smith (Union HS) 13.1 ppg; Matt Garrison (King’s Way Christian) 11.6 ppg

• Rebounding: Bradley Bickler 6.9 per game; Garrison 6.8 per game; Hushaw 5.7 rpg

• Assists: Zach Rivers 3.5 per game; Kevin Robello 2.1 apg; Hushaw 2.1 apg.

Women’s basketball

Record: 4-6 overall

Upcoming schedule

• Clark at Umpqua, 2 p.m. Saturday (NWAC South opener)

• Mt. Hood at Clark, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8

Recap of recent results

The Penguins finished non-conference play with a 60-55 loss to Blue Mountain on Monday. Clark has lost its last two games.

Stat leaders

• Scoring: Jodi Thomasian 13.3 points per game; Chyna Finley 9.1 ppg; Jozey Martellaro 8.0 ppg.

• Rebounding: Turner Joy (Kelso HS) 8.4 per game; Madeline Letourneau 4.6 rpg; Martellaro 4.5 rpg.

• Assists: Alexus Hunter 2.6 per game; Martellaro 2.6 apg; Joy 1.6 apg.