“I was happy with the way they responded,” Clark coach Al Aldridge said. “Competitive spirit is everything. And until they get in those situations, you don’t know how they’ll respond sometimes. It’s exciting that they have that much competitive spirit.”
Clark scored the first nine points of the game and opened a 27-10 lead within the first eight minutes.
The Penguins’ lead was at least nine points the rest of the first half, which ended with Clark ahead 52-41.
Lower Columbia started the second half on an 18-9 run to cut Clark’s lead to 61-59 with 13:24 remaining.
Clark (10-2 overall) improved to 2-0 in the West Division of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
Aldridge has seen his team become more cohesive during its winning streak.
“They’re spending more time together, especially in practice,” Aldridge said. “They’re getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Lower Columbia, of Longview, fell to 2-1 in league and 9-5 overall. They were led by Arinesha Smith’s 30 points.
Clark is currently No. 3 in the NWAACC coaches poll behind Columbia Basin and Clackamas.
Clark men pull away from Lower Columbia
A back-and-forth game eventually swung toward the Penguins, which beat Lower Columbia 75-65.
Kirk said his team felt a home-court advantage.
“The fans were great,” he said. “We had the band for the first time. There was definitely an extra buzz.”
