Storm Fall, Heartbreaker in NWAC South Region Opener Against Clark

Storm Fall Heartbreaker in NWAC Opener Against Clark

SALEM, Ore. — In a game that came down to the final heartbeat, the Chemeketa Storm nearly orchestrated a signature comeback in their Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) opener. Despite a dominant second-half surge, the Storm fell just one point short, dropping a 70–69 thriller to the Clark College Penguins on Monday night at the Storm Center.

A Tale of Two Halves

The Storm (4–9, 0–1) found themselves in an early hole as Clark's bench ignited a first-half run, leaving Chemeketa trailing 39–31 at the break. However, the atmosphere shifted after halftime. Chemeketa emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity and a more fluid offensive rhythm, outscoring the Penguins 38–31 in the final 20 minutes.

The rally turned the game into a high-stakes chess match, with the Storm erasing the eight-point deficit to force a final-possession finish.

Key Performers for the Storm

Chemeketa's offense was efficient throughout the night, finishing with an impressive 50.0% shooting mark from the field. Several players stepped up to lead the charge:

• Andrew Imhoff (Pictured - 13): Led the Storm with 14 points, doing most of his damage from deep by knocking down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

• Jackson Penigar: Provided a massive spark off the bench with a perfect shooting night. Penigar went 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to finish with 11 points.

• Ahmad Koroma: Anchored the interior with 10 points and a team-high 6 rebounds.

• Owen Hopkins: Contributed a valuable 8 points in just 18 minutes of action, helping keep the Storm within striking distance.

By the Numbers

Statistically, the Storm outperformed the Penguins in several key categories. Chemeketa's unselfish play led to a 14–10 advantage in assists, and they controlled the glass with a 27–25 rebounding edge.

Ultimately, the game swung on minor margins. While the Storm shot better overall, Clark's Tristan Pratt exploded for 33 points, and the Penguins' 11-of-13 performance from the free-throw line proved just enough to stave off the Chemeketa comeback. The Storm were also haunted by 12 turnovers, several of which came at critical junctures during the second-half push.

Looking Ahead

While the loss stings, the Storm proved they can compete with the top tier of the NWAC. Their ability to shut down Clark's momentum and dominate the paint in the second half provides a strong foundation as they continue league play.

The Storm will look to build on this performance and find their first conference win in their next outing.

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio