Lockdown in Portland: Storm Defensive Pressure Seals 64-53 Result
Double-Double Trouble: Holwege and Rubio Dominate the Paint in Portland, While The Storm Defense Holds Clark to 24% Shooting in Gritty Win
PORTLAND, Ore. — Behind a dominant third-quarter performance and a defensive masterclass, the Chemeketa Storm (17-6, 7-3) secured a gritty 64-53 road victory over the Clark Penguins (9-15, 5-6) on Saturday night at Portland Community College.
The Storm utilized superior shooting efficiency and a pair of double-double performances to withstand a physical Clark squad that struggled to find its rhythm against Chemeketa's defensive pressure.
The Third Quarter Turning Point
The contest began as a back-and-forth defensive struggle. Chemeketa held a narrow 19-15 lead after the first quarter, but Clark managed to trim the deficit to just two points by halftime, outscoring the Storm 13-11 in the second period.
The game was decided in the third quarter, where the Storm exploded for 21 points while suffocating the Penguins' offense, holding them to just 10 points. This 11-point swing provided the cushion Chemeketa needed to weather a late Clark rally in the final frame.
Stars of the Storm
Chemeketa's victory was fueled by balanced scoring and relentless work on the glass:
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Patricia Mike: Led all scorers with 18 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
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Ella Holwege: Recorded a dominant double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while adding 2 blocks on the defensive end.
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Ava Rubio: Filled the stat sheet with a monster double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, alongside a team-high 4 assists and 4 steals.
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Ashley Barba & Mia Fullbright: Combined for 10 points and 11 rebounds, providing critical stability in the starting lineup.
By the Numbers: Defensive Dominance
The statistical story of the night was Chemeketa's ability to force difficult shots. The Storm held Clark to a dismal 24.4% shooting from the field and an even colder 17.6% from beyond the arc.
| Statistic | Chemeketa Storm | Clark Penguins |
| Field Goal % | 36.1% | 24.4% |
| 3-Point % | 37.5% | 17.6% |
| Total Rebounds | 48 | 51 |
| Assists | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 3 |
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Storm improve to 7-3 in conference play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top seed in the NWAC standings. Chemeketa will look to carry this momentum back home as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio