By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Washington’s first-round Coastal Conference tournament opener was pretty much a carbon copy of its season — fall behind early, make a nice comeback and eventually fall.
The Pam Pack’s season came to a close with Monday’s 65-50 loss to the No. 2 seed D.H. Conley Vikings.
Washington (8-14), the No. 7 seed, lost its final nine games of the season.
The Vikings (21-2), who swept Washington during the regular season, raced out to an 18-5 lead after the first quarter. Sam Best scored 10 of his 16 points in the opening quarter.
Jaron Lane took over in the second quarter, netting eight of his game-high 19 points in the stanza to help Conley grab a 30-16 halftime advantage.
Mike Moore, who led the Pack with 16 points, Taraja Langley (11 points) and Mike Godley (nine points) led a spirited rally in the third quarter. A layup by Langley with 2:22 to play in the quarter pulled the Pack within 10 points (37-27).
Washington cuts its deficit into single digits on another layup by Langley, coming after a nifty steal and assist from Moore. The bucket made it 41-33 with 45 seconds remaining.
Godley’s trifecta pulled Washington within 43-36 to end the quarter.
However, the Pack wouldn’t get any closer. The Vikings, who got points from 12 different players, used a pair of 6-0 spurts to build a 15-point lead at 57-42.
Brandon Tripp muscled his way inside for easy baskets in the final moments, but it wasn’t enough for the Pack.
It was the final game for Washington’s four seniors — Jarees Griffin, Moore, Godley and Anthony Ward.
Lawrence is hoping for a brighter season next year. He said the Pack’s success could very well hinge on its big men in Tripp and William Chance.
Washington 5 11 20 14 — 50
D.H. Conley 18 12 13 22 — 65
WASHINGTON (50)
Mike Moore 16, Taraja Langley 11, Godley 9, Tripp 7, Griffin 6, Harris 1, Albritton, Ward, Chance, Horton.
D.H. CONLEY (65)
Jaron Lane 19, Sam Best 16, Vos 8, Anderson 4, McLawhorn 4, White 2, Paye 2, Loney 2, Ahlers 2, Evans 2, Clark 2, Weaver, Phillips, Cordon, Moore.