MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Corban University men's basketball team played a fantastic first half on Friday night against NCAA Division II opponent and No. 3-ranked Western Oregon University, but it ultimately would not be enough, as the Wolves turned it on in the second stanza, resulting in the 90-65 triumph over the Warriors. For Corban, it was an exhibition contest, therefore not counting against Corban in the loss column.

Senior forward Cody Crowe (Grants Pass, Ore.) was hot early on for Corban, nailing a pair of three-pointers inside of the first five minutes, putting Corban in front 10-8. Sophomore guard Caleb Dozier (Beaverton, Ore.) also played well during the first half, shooting 6-for-7 from the field, hitting tough shot after tough shot to keep Corban in front all the way up until the nine minute mark when Corban led 23-21.

The Wolves closed out the first stanza strong, however, taking a 46-37 lead into the halftime break. Corban was very efficient during the first half, shooting 61.54% from the field and 55.56% from deep with five three-pointers made.

In the second half, however, Western Oregon showed why it is ranked No. 3 in the NCAA Division II, clamping down defensively while holding Corban to just a 36.0% field-goal percentage in the second stanza. The Wolves ended up forcing 15 turnovers for the game en route to closing Corban out for the 25-point non-conference triumph.

Western Oregon (9-0) remained undefeated on the year with the win, and for WOU, it was a counting game, whereas for Corban, it was a non-counting exhibition contest.

Senior forward Cyrus Ward (Gig Harbor, Wash.) finished with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting with 10 boards, while Dozier totaled 13 points with four boards, as did junior guard Toby Roth (Silverton, Ore.), scoring 14 points with four rebounds. Crowe finished the evening with 11 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting effort.

"I thought we played really well for about 25 minutes," said Corban head coach Steve Masten. "After that we struggled offensively and had a difficult time staying in front of their guards."

Corban (5-3) returns to the hardwood and gets back into Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) action next week when it hosts Eastern Oregon University and No. 18 College of Idaho on Friday and Saturday. Tipoff each night is set for 7:30 p.m. in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.