Columbia Basin opened its season in strong fashion on Friday afternoon, grinding out a hard-fought 61–56 victory over Peninsula in front of the home crowd. From the opening tip, we knew this matchup would demand poise and toughness, and our group delivered both in key moments—especially during a decisive third-quarter surge that ultimately shaped the outcome.

The first half was a back-and-forth defensive battle. We took a 13–8 lead after the first quarter behind early scoring from Amber Swan, who came out aggressive with six quick points. Peninsula answered in the second, but our bench minutes and defensive pressure kept things controlled as we went into the break tied 23–23.

The turning point came in the third quarter. We tightened our rotations, pushed the pace just enough, and strung together stops that allowed our offense to settle into a rhythm. Nekha Roehl ignited the spark with eight points in the frame, while Ezrah Ray and Taylor Adams chipped in key plays on both ends. We outscored Peninsula 23–16 in the quarter, building our largest lead at 12 with just over three minutes remaining.

Peninsula made a strong push in the fourth, but our composure showed. Amber Swan continued her steady scoring night, finishing with a team-high 16 points, while Roehl and Ray added 13 and 10 respectively. Hailey Jamison's all-around effort and late free throws helped seal the win, and Adams' timely defensive plays—including two blocks—kept Peninsula from gaining momentum inside.

This win showcased our balance, depth, and defensive identity. With six players scoring at least seven points and multiple contributors stepping up at critical moments, we set an early tone for the season. CBC will return back Saturday morning to face off against Linn-Benton with tipoff scheduled for 2pm on Holden Court.