Freshman Malik McCowan led Porterville College with 20 points while freshman Carlos Angel added 17 points as the Pirates got back on track with an 81-74 Central Valley Conference win over Columbia College on Wednesday night.

Porterville has won three of its last four games to improve to 6-12 overall and 3-2 in the CVC.

The Pirates held a narrow 40-36 lead at halftime before hanging on for the victory. Porterville picked up the win despite being outshot by Columbia, 45.5 percent to 41.8 percent. But the Pirates nailed 11 of 24 three-pointers to keep them ahead.

McCowan added four rebounds, four assists, and four steals to his 20 points. Angel contributed eight boards, three steals, and three assists to his 17 points while Tevin Howell and Miguel Mejia both scored 14 points.

Porterville had a tough time containing Columbia's Lewayne Grant as he scored a game-high 31 points.

PC will look to keep the momentum going but will face one of its toughest opponents of the season when the Pirates travel to No. 6 state-ranked Fresno City College for a 5 p.m. conference game on Saturday (Jan. 21).