KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball team trailed No. 7 Oregon Tech on Sunday afternoon by 10 points with just over 10 minutes left in regulation, but a 19-0 run from the Warriors over the next seven minutes resulted in one of the biggest upsets thus far in the 2015-16 season, as the unranked Navy and Gold shocked the Owls, 66-57. For Corban, it is its second-straight win against Oregon Tech on the road, after defeating the Owls in Klamath Falls last season as well.
Photos from the win
"Down 10 with 10 to go, we went on a 19-0 run, so I couldn't be more proud of the guys," said head coach Steve Masten.
As a part of that 19-0 run late in the second half, sophomore guard Caleb Dozier (Beaverton, Ore.) got the ball rolling for Corban with a pair of jumpers before the whole team started getting involved, causing Owl turnovers and nabbing steals en route to easy buckets. Fellow sophomore guard AJ Monterossi (Beaverton, Ore.) finished the game off strong for Corban, serving as an integral part of that big second-half run, ultimately leading Corban with 24 points on 11-of-20 shooting.
In what was very much a defensive battle during the first half, Corban led after 20 minutes by one point, 31-30. The Warriors ultimately ended up outscoring the Owls 35-27 in the second stanza en route to the nine-point triumph.
Monterossi finished with a team-best 24 points and tied for the team lead with eight boards and two assists while also collecting two steals. He finished as the only Warrior in double digits on the night, while Dozier tallied nine points and eight boards and senior forward Cyrus Ward (Gig Harbor, Wash.) totaled eight points and four rebounds.
As a team, Corban shot just 42.6% from the field and did make two three-pointers on the night, keeping the streak alive with a three-pointer made, but what really stood out was Corban's defensive tenacity. The Warriors held the No. 7-ranked Owls to just a 33.9% shooting effort overall and a 30.8% mark from downtown, limiting Oregon Tech's good looks at the hoop. Corban also forced the Owls into 18 turnovers on the afternoon while only committing eight turnovers offensively.
"The defense rules the day on a night when we didn't have a great offensive night," said Masten. "We held them to 33% shooting and held them 23 points below their average."
Corban (5-3, 1-1 CCC) returns to action in an exhibition contest on Friday night against NCAA Division II opponent, Western Oregon University, on the road. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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