Knights Survive in Thriller
PORTLAND, Ore. - It was a tale of two halves, as Warner Pacific posted a 20 point first period lead then survived in overtime, 87-82, over Vancouver Island University today inside C.C. Perry Gym.
In the first ever meeting between the two programs, the host Knights were the dominant team early. WP (7-8, 1-2 CCC) used a 11-0 run to forge a 21-10 lead at the 13:14 mark, and kept going from there. The Knight shooters were finding the range in the first 20 minutes, as
Ryan Parks (3 three pointers) and
Marcus Moore (2 three pointers) hit from distance.
Sean Gaines added 10 points with interior scoring.
Warner Pacific's lead reached as much as 26 points, but the Knights settled for a 53-33 advantage at the break.
The second period was a different story entirely. The visiting Mariners (9-6) began to find their offensive game, while WPC went ice cold. Portland native Brandon Jones drained five shots from behind the arc, while the Knights as a team made just one of 10 tries and shot just 17 percent (5 of 29) overall in the half.
Josh Black hit a pair of free throws for WP with 2:13 to play in regulation, but the hosts did not score again. Liam Horne sent the game to extra time with a layup in the final seconds, and the game winning attempt for the Knights at the buzzer was wide of the rim.
In the overtime period, Warner Pacific tallied the first two baskets and never trailed. Jones hit his eighth three pointer of the game to bring VIU within one point (82-81) with 1:34 to play, but Parks responded with a trey of his own, then sealed the win with two makes from the free throw line.
Parks led Warner Pacific with 18 points, which includes a 6 of 6 effort from the free throw line.
Doug Thomas added 17 points, while
Sean Gaines completed his double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Jones led all scorers with 30 points for Vancouver Island. Jason Fortin added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
COMING UP: Warner Pacific will resume CCC play on Friday, January 2, hosting College of Idaho at 7:30 pm.