PORTLAND, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball was edged in the second half by Multnomah University on Saturday evening, faltering on the road in an 81-77 loss to the Lions.

"It was a tough loss today," said head coach Taylor Kelly. "Multnomah played really well tonight, and we struggled to get offensive and defensive flow. We're looking forward to having a week to prepare and get better."

The Navy and Gold was without keystone contributors Mateo Escheik and Darius Henderson, and despite holding onto a narrow lead at the half, the Warriors were unable to stave off a red-hot second half of shooting from the hometown squad.

The Lions shot 59.3% from the floor—draining 6-of-10 three-pointers—in the latter 20 minutes, led by Tyrese Taylor, who notched 13 of his team-leading 15 points after the midway mark.

Zach Richardson matched Taylor for the team lead with 15 of his own, while Jaeden Ingram (14 points, nine rebounds), Forrest Smith (13 points, nine assists), and Terin Johnson (12 points) all landed in double figures, as well. 

For the second-straight night, Jordan Newt led the Warriors in scoring, notching 17 points on triples. Stepping up with the shorthanded lineup, Denis Kirichenko (14 points, four rebounds) notched a new season high in points in his first start of the year, and guards Taylor Anderson (13 points, seven rebounds) and Kendall Moore (10 points) each reached the double-digit scoring mark, as well.

It's a tough loss to swallow for the Warriors, who had never lost on the road against Multnomah in a conference game prior to tonight.

Corban (6-5, 1-2 CCC) will wrap up the non-conference portion of its schedule next week with an exhibition battle against NCAA Division II Western Oregon on December 11. Tip-off against the Wolves is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Monmouth, Ore.

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