PASCO, Wash. – Zack Reighard delivered in the clutch, sinking the go-ahead layup with 3.6 seconds remaining to propel Spokane past Lane, 72-71, in the opening round of the 2025 NWAC Men’s Basketball Championship presented by Golf Universe on Friday at Columbia Basin College.
Spokane trailed by 10 points with just over two minutes to play but closed the game on an 11-0 run, capped by Reighard’s game-winning basket. Lane had a chance to respond in the final seconds, but Spokane’s defense held firm, securing the dramatic victory. The Titans led by as many as 14 points in the second half but struggled offensively down the stretch, committing four turnovers in the final two and a half minutes as Spokane’s pressure defense took control.
Grant Olsen led the Sasquatch with 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including two three-pointers, while also contributing seven rebounds and three steals. Reighard finished with 20 points, six steals, and four rebounds, making a major impact on both ends of the floor. Nate Visentin anchored Spokane in the paint, scoring 14 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking two shots.
For Lane, Ben Thornbrue put together a strong performance with 20 points, four blocks, and two steals. Silas Wright added 16 points, knocking down four three-pointers, while also collecting seven rebounds and three assists. Brody Roth provided another perimeter threat, hitting three three-pointers as part of his nine-point effort and matching Wright with seven rebounds.
The Titans took a 42-37 lead into halftime, fueled by seven three-pointers and an 11-point advantage at one stage. Spokane committed 10 turnovers in the first half compared to Lane’s five, allowing the Titans to dictate the tempo early. Lane maintained control for much of the second half, stretching its lead to 14 points with 8:17 remaining. However, Spokane flipped the momentum with relentless defensive pressure, forcing 17 turnovers in the game while committing only seven. The Sasquatch also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds to create extra scoring opportunities, ultimately taking 36 second-half shots compared to Lane’s 22.
With the victory, Spokane advances to the NWAC Elite 8 and will face the winner of Skagit Valley vs. Highline on Saturday.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.