Concordia Stops Losing Streak with Win over Corban
SALEM, Ore.— After giving up the first bucket of the game, Concordia University went on a 10-6 run and never looked back en route to a 76-60 road win against Corban College in Cascade Collegiate Conference men’s basketball action on Tuesday.
With the win, Concordia moved to 6-9 overall on the year and 2-4 in the CCC while Corban dropped to 6-10 and 1-5 in league play.
Ryan Johnson (Vancouver, Wash./Evergreen H.S.) and Cody Aker (Portland, Ore./Wilson H.S.) powered their way to double-doubles while teammate Matt Ochs (Clackamas, Ore./Clackamas H.S.) almost joined the duo after scoring 12 points and securing nine rebounds.
Aker, nearly pulled off a triple-double after recording 14 points, a game-high 16 rebounds and eight assists. Johnson netted a game-high 18 points off 7-of-14 shooting and added 15 boards in 37 minutes of action.
“This was a great win that we desperately needed after last weekend,” Concordia head coach Brad Barbarick said. “Any road win in the Cascade Conference is a good win. We have been working hard and staying committed to one another. It’s a fun group to coach and I’m extremely happy with how they played today.”
Concordia ended the first half with a 41-37 edge on the scoreboard after hitting 51.5 percent from the floor, but compiled a dominating 27-16 edge in rebounding in the second period to extend its lead to as many as 17 points before a Warrior free throw in the final seconds formed the 16-point gap at the finish.
With 13 points, Desmond Meray (Spanaway, Wash./Bethel H.S.) also reached double figures in scoring for the Cavs. Wade Douglas (Ontario, Ore.) led Corban with 13 points and six rebounds. Both teams made 6-of-11 attempts from the free throw line.
Concordia returns to action on Friday, Jan. 11 when they stay in Portland for a conference match at Warner Pacific before facing Cascade College on Saturday. Both games are slated for a 7: 30 p.m. start. Corban will face the same opponents this weekend on alternating nights.