Centralia downs Lower Columbia to become number one in the West.

For the second year in a row Centralia traveled to Longview to take on the Lower Columbia Red Devils with the NWAACC Western Division number one position on the line and for the second year in a row the Blazers managed to come away with a win.

Going into the game both squads held identical undefeated 3-0 league records but with the 70-67 Centralia is now the only undefeated team remaining in the West.

Despite battling the officials for the majority of the first half the Blazers were able to take a one-point 30-29 lead into intermission behind Lexi Belcher's 11 points.

Both teams went 2 of 7 from beyond the arc in the half but Centralia's 43 percent from the field was just enough to narrowly outshoot Lower Columbia's 42 percent.

The Blazers opened the first six minutes of the second half with a 16-6 run to push their one-point halftime lead to an 11 point 46-35 advantage.

Over the next 11 minutes the Red Devils were able pick away at the lead before tying the game at 61 on a free throw with a little under three minutes to play.

On Centralia's next possession Belcher found Autumn Greene wide open under the net for two. Lower Columbia missed a pair of shots on their next trip down the floor before Molly Erven found Greene open again for another two. This gave the Blazers a 65-61 lead with a minute and twelve seconds to play.

The Red Devils fired right back with a two of their own. Courtney May was able to break Lower Columbia's press to hit Greene for her sixth straight point giving the Blazers a 67-63 lead with 50 seconds to play.  The Red Devils went right back down the floor again and hit a clutch three to make it a one-point game. Ali Campbell hit a two on Centralia's next possession.  Greene then blocked a shot out of bounds before Lower Columbia's next shot was off the mark rebounded by Campbell who was fouled and sent to the line for two. She hit one of the two to put the Blazers up 69-67. The Red Devils missed their final shot before May went to the line to sink Centralia's final point and seal the victory 70-67.

Belcher led the Blazers with 22 points, her third 20 plus point game in four games, and five boards.

Greene scored all of her 17 points in the second half and was able to lead the team with nine rebounds and four steals.

Campbell was the third Blazer to hit double figures putting in 12 with four rebounds.

Centralia outrebounded Lower Columbia 37-33 and finished the night outshooting the Red Devils 46 to 41 percent.

The Blazers (12-2, 4-0) host Pierce (4-8, 1-2) Saturday at 5 p.m.