SALEM, Ore. – A forgettable first half of play for the Corban University Men's Basketball team was quickly erased with a 57-point second half against The Evergreen State College Geoducks, as the Warriors hit the 90-point mark for the fourth-consecutive contest via a 92-65 home victory earlier this evening.

"It was great to see our guys respond to my challenge in the second half," Navy and Gold head coach Taylor Kelly shared. "They are a great group of guys to coach every day, and it feels like they are starting to figure some things out collectively. Collin was great in the second half and provided a major punch for us to create some separation. Jay had a big double-double tonight and it feels like he is starting to cement himself as a dominant figure for our team. It's fun to work with these men every day, I'm thankful for them and I'm looking forward to a big homestand next weekend. We'll need all of Warrior Nation's support!"

Despite owning only one win this season, the Geoducks (1-11, 0-7) came to play this evening against the Warriors (9-3, 6-1), refusing to back down from the challenge that Corban presents and led on a handful of occasions throughout the first half. Offensively, the Navy and Gold just couldn't find the bottom of the basket, with multiple shots rimming out, hitting the front of the rim, or clanging off the back iron which eventual led to scoring plays for Evergreen State.

If not for a miraculous last second shot by Warriors' senior guard Dirk Helaire II, his team would have entered the halftime break with a deficit for the first time at home all season long. As time quickly dwindled off the scoreboard, Helaire received the outlet pass and tossed up a 10-foot hook shot off the baseline in the act of being fouled, which banked off the backboard and led to a 35-34 lead for Corban after he sank the bonus free throw.

Helaire's acrobatic play completely reenergized the Warriors entering the second half, as it took less than six minutes to establish a double-digit lead and thus secure their fourth-straight win while remain undefeated on Tim Hills Court this season. A dominating 40-28 advantage in the paint was a key to victory for the Navy and Gold, led by junior forward Jay Wilson and his 18-point and 12-rebound double-double, the first of his young Warrior career.

Senior guard Collin Warmouth fell just one board shy of his own double-double this evening, scoring 16 points and hauling in nine rebounds. Back-to-back 15-point performances by senior guard Reece Van Lierop has been essential coming off the bench for the Warriors this weekend, while Helaire finished with 10 points and a quartet of assists.

The Geoducks had three student-athletes in double-figures this evening, as guards Jayden Upshaw, Luke Brewer, and Deondre Russ finished with 13, 12, and 10 points, respectively. Every other Evergreen State player to score today tallied at least four points.

A massive pair of home matchups awaits the Warriors next weekend, as they'll battle their first ranked opponent of the 2023-24 season in No. 5-ranked College of Idaho (12-2, 7-1), the defending NAIA National Champions, in a 7:30pm tipoff on Friday evening.

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