CALDWELL, Idaho – The Corban University men's basketball team wasted no time getting started in a 30-point season-opening victory over Park University Gilbert (Ariz.) on Friday afternoon. The Warriors jumped out to a 24-6 lead and never looked back, eventually defeating the Buccaneers by an 82-52 final score in the first game of the Taco Bell Shootout.

"It feels good to be back to basketball," said head coach Taylor Kelly. "Our guys have prepared hard for this opening weekend. I felt like our guys really set the tone defensively and did a great job playing together offensively.

While the Navy and Gold's 50.0% mark from the floor is impressive, even more stunning was the squad's 62.5% efficiency from three-point range in Friday's triumph. In contrast, the suffocating Corban defense held Park to a 33.3% mark from the floor (29.4% 3PT).

Veteran guard Jordan Newt didn't miss a beat from his First-Team All-Conference 2021 spring season, picking up right where he left off with 13 points on an unblemished shooting performance. Newt sank all five shots he attempted, including a trio of three-pointers.

In the paint, Darius Henderson (11 PTS, 5 REB) shined in his Warrior debut, and Mauricio Smith (10 PTS, 9 REB) finished just one board shy of a double-double. Reece Van Lierop (9 PTS, 3-of-4 3PT) led the charge off the bench, with an impressive total of 12 Warriors sinking a basket in a varied offensive attack for the Navy and Gold.

For the Buccaneers, Jacob Bingham (14 PTS, 5-of-11 FG) and Kelton Williams (11 PTS, 6 REB, 5-of-11 FG) each finished in double figures in the defeat.

It's hard to imagine a better start to the 2021-22 campaign for the Warriors, who will look to repeat today's success in tomorrow's portion of the Taco Bell Shootout.

The Warriors (1-0) will face off with Rocky Mountain College in Caldwell, Idaho in the second and final day of the tournament, with tip-off for the battle scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT.