PORTLAND, Ore. -  In a finale to the 2024 calendar year, the Multnomah Lions fell just short of victory against cross-town rivals, the Warner Pacific Knights, in a double-overtime showdown. The game, held at Lytle Gym, ended with the Knights eking out an 82-80 win, evening the conference rivalry at one win apiece.

The Lions showed resilience throughout the contest, overcoming early shooting struggles to force not just one, but two overtimes. Warner Pacific's Emily Fortin was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 30 points, including six three-pointers and a clutch layup to seal the victory. Multnomah's Gracie Browning anchored her team with a 21-point, 20-rebound double-double, showcasing her dominance in the paint.

Jersey Huerta added 21 points for the Lions, including four three-pointers, while Makayla Torkornoo dished out seven assists, proving pivotal in the late-game rally.

Both teams exchanged blows in regulation's final minutes, culminating in an even score at the end of the fourth quarter (63-63). The first overtime saw balanced contributions from both sides, ending tied at 72. Warner Pacific edged out in the second overtime thanks to Fortin's clutch shooting.

• Multnomah: Outrebounded 59-38 but capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 points off Warner Pacific's 17 miscues.
• Warner Pacific: Shot 78.3% from the free-throw line, compared to Multnomah's impressive 93.3%.

With this narrow loss, Multnomah (5-7, 3-3) aims to rebound as conference play heats up in 2025. The Lions' will play Lewis-Clark State and Walla Walla University this weekend at home to open up the new year.