Triton run ends at Final Four with loss to Skagit Valley

PASCO, Wash. — The Tritons' run at an NWAC Championship came to an end on Friday as the Skagit Valley Cardinals pulled ahead midway through the first half and never looked back, defeating Edmonds 92-73.

In the early going Edmonds was able to jump ahead 13-6, but the Cardinals settled in and went ahead for good on Bennett Howe's bucket (19-17) at the 12:48 mark of the first half. The first half concluded with Skagit Valley leading 39–30.

Edmonds found momentum early in the second half but the Cardinals offense was unrelenting. There were moments where momentum shifted behind Triton threes, but the Cardinals answered with 3 pointers of their own. Treyshawn Weatherspoon nailed two clutch back-to-back three-balls from beyond the arc to stall the Tritons rally attempt. Edmonds couldn't get enough stops defensively and allowed too many second chance opportunities – the Cardinals grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, which helped them extend possessions.

Despite working back from a double-digit deficit, Adonai Daniel continued to power the Triton offense in the second half and kept Edmonds alive. The sophomore guard poured in a game-high 27 points, 19 of them coming in the last stanza. Avidan West contributed 17 points and four assists while converting eight of nine free throws. Kyrylo Kapinos recorded 10 rebounds and nine points. Hunter White added nine rebounds and seven points.

Edmonds ends the season 20-12 overall and places 3^rd overall in the NWAC. The Cardinals will face Lower Columbia in the championship game on Sunday.