SALEM, Ore. – A fourth-straight upset on their home court was just one game too many for the Corban University Men's Basketball team, as the Warriors were unable to sweep the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) set from RV Eastern Oregon University, as the Mountaineers captured early control on Tim Hills Court and never relinquished grasp on a 96-56 road win in the state capital. Right before the start of tonight's contest, the program honored six senior student-athletes who participated in their final regular season home game for Corban University, which included student assistant Jake Blair, redshirt junior guard Clyde Harris Jr., redshirt junior guard Brodin Tuning, redshirt senior guard Anjay Cortez, senior guard Benett Bos, and senior guard Payton Meyers.
"A tough night for the Warriors on senior night," expressed Corban head coach Wayne Mendezona. "The team ran into a buzzsaw and met their match and more in a hungry and eager Eastern Oregon team that lost just last night to Bushnell. The way we played at least in the first half indicated to me that we had run out of steam, had no legs, and lost our inspiration and fight. It was unusual because our guys usually rises to the challenge, and I thought early on in the contest that it would be the same, but as the first half moved into its closing stages, I recognized that it was just going to be one of those games that happens a couple times a year and you have to forget about it very quickly and move on. It was a team loss, and so we'll take it on the chin, get some rest, learn from our mistakes, and get ready to play the top team in the conference in Lewiston. The first time we met with LC State, we matched up well against them and had the game within reach of winning only to come up a little short. So, we'll be excited about traveling and going to their place and seeing if we can get back on the winning track and pull off another upset."
A three-point lead at the 13:27 mark of the first quarter would represent the final advantage for the Warriors (13-13, 9-9) for the remainder of tonight's matchup, as the Mounties (19-7, 14-4) took control on both ends of the court and outscored the Navy and Gold 35-7 over the remainder of the opening half, stretching their lead to as many as 41 points throughout the second half as they looked to avenge their loss to Corban in La Grande earlier last month.
Bos was the offensive leader for the Dubs on his senior night matchup, scoring a team-high 12 points alongside three rebounds and a pair of steals defensively. Graduate student forward Oreon Courtney and junior guard Joe Gould brought down the team-high rebounding mark of six boards, while Gould led the Navy and Gold with five assists.
Five different Mountaineers scored in double-figures tonight, led by guard Trent Rogers' game-high 21 points thanks to five three-pointers and guard Porter Abrams controlling the glass with 15 rebounds. Guard James Bodily added 17 points and seven boards before fouling out in the second half.
The Navy and Gold will have an opportunity to right the ship and pull off another upset next weekend in western Idaho, as No. 22-ranked Lewis-Clark State College (20-6, 14-4) will host Corban men's basketball for a 7pm tipoff on Friday, February 20th.
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