SALEM, Ore. – A higher offensive efficiency was all that was needed tonight out of the visiting program to emerge victorious in an overtime Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) classic, as the Corban University Men's Basketball team outplayed the Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers in nearly every other facet of tonight's contest yet couldn't convert when it mattered most in a rare 87-82 home loss for the Navy and Gold. With the Mounties shooting over 52% from the field on the day, an even rebounding margin proved to be a wash and despite holding advantages in both the turnover battle, second chance points, and points scored in the paint, the Warriors couldn't activate the clutch gene down the stretch to allow EOU to secure the season sweep.
"I love my team, they are so tough, so committed, and they deserve so much success," began Corban head coach Taylor Kelly shortly following their narrow loss to the Mountaineers. "Unfortunately, we didn't make enough plays down the stretch to win this game, but I'm looking forward to seeing how we respond tomorrow in another big matchup!"
A quick back-to-back three-pointers on their first two possessions set the tone early for Eastern Oregon (14-7, 9-6), yet Corban (12-9, 10-5) kept pace throughout the opening half and ended the period on an 8-2 run to cut their double-digit deficit to just four points despite the Mountaineers shooting lights out from the field and making the most of their six trips to the free throw line compared to just two for the Warriors.
With 16:47 remaining in the second half, Corban senior guard RJ Veliz cashed in on a three-point attempt to provide the Navy and Gold with their first lead since 7-6 in the opening period, yet EOU swung back on every opportunity to keep within striking distance despite giving up a ten-point lead with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation. Over the next several minutes, the Mounties scrapped their way back into a one possession game and eventually reclaimed the lead on a three-pointer by guard Garrett Hawkes with 3:34 to play.
Back-and-forth the CCC foes traded blows as time dwindled from the scoreboard, yet the Warriors would find themselves with an opportunity to seal the game away locked in a 74-74 tie with 17 seconds remaining and possession in their own offensive backcourt. A driving look from Veliz fell just short with four seconds remaining, yet the Mountaineers' chance to break the tie fell even shorter and sent the Warriors into their second overtime period in a three-game span.
After his buzzer-beating three-point attempt was blocked to end regulation, Hawkes kicked off overtime with a silencing shot from deep to provide Eastern Oregon the final lead they would need to escape the mid-Willamette Valley with an overtime victory despite providing Corban with numerous occasions to reclaim or take their own lead down the stretch. The Navy and Gold's final look was squandered on a timeout called on the floor needing a three to tie, yet Coach Kelly had just utilized his last timeout and instead, resulted in a team technical foul that provided the Mounties the free throws they needed to seal the road win.
A double-double performance from senior guard Luc Krystkowiak wasn't enough for the Warriors to emerge with a much-needed win on their home court, as he dropped 12 points and hauled in 12 rebounds in 32 minutes played. Meanwhile, Veliz and junior guard Spivey Word each scored 19 points to lead the team in scoring while redshirt junior guard Nikola Milosevic threw down numerous dunks in transition to finish with 13 points off the bench.
Hawkes paced the Mounties with a game-high 21 points and six boards, while guard Malachi Afework dropped 20 points and dished out four assists. Guards Jaden Hansen and TJ Doman finished with 15 and ten points, respectively, which when combined with Hawkes and Malachi represented 66 of the team's 87 total points scored on the evening.
After knocking off No. 4-ranked College of Idaho (19-2, 14-1) on the road last month in a historic victory for the Warriors, they'll welcome the Yotes to Salem tomorrow afternoon at 5pm with an opportunity to sweep C of I on the season for the first time in program history.
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