LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball team fell behind early in Saturday evening's road contest with Eastern Oregon University. The Warriors battled back in an attempt to overcome the early deficit, but the Mountaineers were able to hold onto the high ground in an 84-74 win. 

"Tonight was an extremely disappointing effort from our program," said head coach Taylor Kelly. "We did not come out with the level of focus, urgency, or toughness that is required to beat a good EOU team on the road. We didn't rebound, we didn't defend, and we didn't play together on offense. Ultimately, I need to make sure we are ready to compete."

The Warriors were behind the eight ball from the onset, as the hometown squad opened the game with a 12-2 run across the first eight minutes. Corban was able to trim that deficit to just three at halftime, helped by a 13-6 run in the final three minutes. 

Corban's 38.8% field goal percentage on Saturday is its fifth-lowest mark of the 2021-22 campaign, and its 20% mark from three-point range is its second-lowest clip of the year.

In contrast, Eastern Oregon shot 56.9% from the field on Saturday evening, including a torrid 71.4% clip in the second half. That 56.9% percentage serves as the second-best mark of the season for the Mounties.

Psalm Maduakor dropped a season-high 16 points in the defeat, leading the Warriors in scoring, while also adding five rebounds. Guard Taylor Anderson scored 14 points, grabbing a team-leading six boards from the back court.

Mateo Escheik and Denis Kirichenko each scored 13 points, while Kendall Moore ended the evening with 12 points and four rebounds.

For the Mounties, it was Xavier Lovelace who stole the show, scoring 29 points on a stellar 12-of-16 effort from the field, while also adding seven rebounds. Philip Malatare scored 14 points, dished out four assists, and grabbed three rebounds, and Zane Wright reached double figures with 10 points.

The Warriors (14-10, 9-7 CCC) will now return to the comforts of home for a pivotal four-game homestand, welcoming Southern Oregon University on Friday of next week (7:30 p.m.) and (RV) Oregon Tech on Saturday (5 p.m.). 

After today's action, the Owls (14-1 CCC) hold first place in the conference standings, and the Raiders (10-5 CCC) currently sit above the Warriors in third place in the rankings.

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