AUBURN, Wash. - Men's basketball entered their matchup with the Green River College Gators, knowing they would have to play their best to knock off the top-five ranked Gators. This season, Green River's calling card has been their ability to rebound and score from three-point range. That was on display as they answered the Clippers' early scoring run by knocking down a pair of corner threes to take the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. However, despite their best efforts, the Clippers failed to knock down enough shots to keep up with the Gator's high-powered offense and found themselves trailing by 19 at the half. 

Following a passionate halftime speech from Coach Zach Smith, the Clippers came out and played harder in the second half. Coach Smith employed a non-traditional lineup for the Clippers, using Justin Hicks at center to entice the Gators out of their zone defense. Hicks scored seven points and added seven rebounds in the second half, and fellow sophomore Hayden Wakefield knocked down three-of-six three-point attempts en route to a team-high eleven second-half points. Despite playing with an increased pace on offense, the first-half deficit was too much to overcome as the Gators protected home court and walked away with a sixteen-point victory. 

Next up: Men's basketball will host the Centralia College Blazers for a west region matchup at home on Saturday, February 11th. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 and will stream live on the NWAC Sports Network.