EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 7-seeded Corban University Men's Basketball team once again shocked the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) and greater national scene with a 78-70 quarterfinal victory over RV Eastern Oregon University deep in La Grande, handing the Mounties a loss to represent the only opposing program to defeat EOU on their home court not just once, but twice in 2025-26. With an unprecedented last second victory for No. 6-seeded Bushnell University at No. 3-seeded Southern Oregon University as well, the I-5 rivals are scheduled to meet tomorrow night for a third time this season in the 2026 CCC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal stage, with the Warriors primed to avenge their first season sweep at the hands of the Beacons in six years.
In their most recent meeting, Bushnell escaped on their home court with a one-point victory after both an administrative technical and a questionable no-call on the final shot to clinch the season sweep, with their first meeting back in December on Tim Hills Court undoubtedly going Bushnell's way the entire evening. With both the home loss and narrow road defeat now firmly in the rearview mirror, the Navy and Gold hold a prime opportunity to redeem themselves against their CCC travel partners.
A trio of miracle free throws by Bushnell forward Cory Johnson with one-tenth of a second remaining in their quarterfinal matchup with Southern Oregon provided the Beacons with their first quarterfinal victory in a ten-year span, having seen their last three seasons conclude in the opening round of the conference tourney. Johnson has been the leading force for the Bushnell offense as of late having been named the back-to-back CCC Offensive Player of the Week, scoring at least 24 points over his past five games, including 37 against Walla Walla University. The Beacons are rounded out by forward Kaleb Burnett who ranks top five in the conference for both scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg), while Johnson leads all student-athletes with an 85.0% mark from the free throw line.
The "heart attack Warriors" continue to find ways to claim matchups despite being underrepresented in the CCC seeding with their even .500 record (10-10) through the regular season conference action. With four wins against the top four seeded teams in the conference bracket compared to just two for the Beacons. Junior guard Joe Gould has done a little bit of everything for the Navy and Gold this year and continues to run the offense efficiently as head coach Wayne Mendezona's starting point guard, matching his Corban career-high 22 points in their road upset of the Mountaineers last Wednesday while causing headaches for opposing offenses with 49 steals in 29 contests played to date. Alongside redshirt junior guard Clyde Harris Jr., redshirt junior center Tj Zimmermann, and redshirt senior guard Anjay Cortez, Gould and the Dubs' defensive press has been wreaking havoc across the Pacific Northwest and will have an opportunity to put their stalwart skillset back on full display against Bushnell in the conference semifinals.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the Morse Center on Saturday evening when doors open, while those wishing to watch for free can do so by clicking HERE. Live stats will also be made available for free by clicking HERE.
The winner of Saturday's rivalry matchup will travel to either No. 1-seeded Lewis-Clark State College or No. 5-seeded College of Idaho, depending on who emerges victorious in Lewiston between the LC State Warriors and Yotes on Saturday night. The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd at 7pm local time in either of the Idaho-based institutions' home facilities. Catch all the action live for free on the CCC's Urban Edge Network channel by clicking HERE.
Facebook l Twitter (X) l Instagram l YouTube l Email
