SALEM, Ore. – Senior Mauricio Smith scored a game and season-high 22 points, as the Corban University men's basketball team defeated I-5 rival Bushnell University, 92-65, Saturday night to complete its Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) weekend sweep on Tim Hills Court inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.

"I'm really proud of our team," said head coach Taylor Kelly. "We did a great job of making the necessary adjustments defensively and taking the next step offensively. I thought our guys played with tremendous focus and discipline. Our bench provided a big spark for us all night, and raised the level when they came in."

Smith tallied his season-high point total by hitting 7-of-11 from the field to go along with a 7-for-8 performance at the free throw line. Smith was aided offensively by four other Warriors –Taylor Anderson, Denis Kirichenko, Kendall Moore, and Dirk Helaire II – who scored in double figures with 15, 13, 10, and 10 points, respectively. Kirichenko also put together an all-around game leading Corban with a game-high 10 rebounds (7 offensive boards) to register his first double-double of the season, while also dishing out a game-high tying four assists.

"Denis played like a man on a mission, and Taylor continues to be as steady and consistent as they come," Kelly added. "I thought Mauricio played his best game of the year, playing at his pace and really taking a big step in owning his defensive assignments. I am proud of the way our guys celebrate the next man's successes."

Neither team grabbed more than a four-point lead over the opening five minutes, as Bushnell's Stevie Schlabach converted an old-fashion three-point play to give the visiting Beacons a slim lead (12-11) at the 15:01 mark. Corban used an 8-0 run over the next two-plus minutes to take the lead (19-12) on a Helaire lay-in with 12:43 on the clock. The Navy and Gold would never trail again extending its lead to as much as 16 points (44-28) on back-to-back free throws by Anderson with 1:48 left in the first half. Going into the locker room, Corban held a 12-point lead (46-34).

In the second half, Bushnell got within five points (58-53) via a 19-12 run over the opening seven minutes. Corban extended its lead back to double digits (70-56) on an Anderson lay-in with just under 10 minutes left in the game. The Navy and Gold continued to hold a double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game, as the host Warriors pushed their advantage to a game-high 25 points (89-64) on a jumper by Jake Estep with 1:46 remaining. Corban would settle for a 92-65 victory, as the Navy and Gold completed its first season sweep over Bushnell since the 2017-18 campaign.

Bushnell was led offensively by Ernest Ugoagu with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, while three other Beacons -- Logan Sand, Schlabach, and Kaden Sand – added 15, 12, and 12 points, respectively. Nico Wolff and Logan Sand led Bushnell with five rebounds each, while Luke Burke handed out a game-high tying four assists for BU.

As a team, Corban combined to shoot 31-for-64 (48.4%) from the field that included a 51.7% (15-for-29) clip over the opening 20 minutes of play. The Warriors were also a combined 7-for-21 (33.3%) from beyond the three-point line and 23-of-29 (79.3%) at the free throw line. On the other hand, Bushnell was a combined 24-of-59 (40.7%) from the field, a combined 9-of-27 (33.3%) from long distance, and 8-of-10 (80.0%) at the charity stripe.

Corban returns to action on Friday, April 9, when the Warriors close out their home schedule against NCAA Division III member Pacific University of Oregon starting at 7:00 p.m. inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.

Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter  l Instagram l Snapchat l  YouTube l  Email

Download our App: iOS (iPhone/iPad) l Android