LA GRANDE, Ore. – Upsets were the name of the game in the first round of the 2014 Cascade Conference Men’s Basketball Championship presented by U.S. Bank as the semifinals continue on Saturday night in Caldwell, Idaho and Kirkland, Wash.
No. 7 Oregon Tech (17-14, 9-9 CCC) at No. 1 College of Idaho (26-5, 16-2 CCC)
7 p.m. MST – Caldwell, Idaho
As the only home team to prove victorious in the first round, top seed College of Idaho will look to advance, and host, the conference title game as they welcome Oregon Tech to Caldwell on Saturday night.
College of Idaho used a 21-3 run early in the second half to break open a tight game as the Yotes ended a nine-game playoff losing streak with a 92-65 win over Eastern Oregon. Taylor Pruett led C of I with 16 points on the night, including four three-pointers.
Oregon Tech earned their spot in the semifinals after flying past second-seed Concordia, 76-61, in Portland. Brandon Bautista and Austen Flint combined for eight three-pointers on the night to lead the Hustlin’ Owls to victory. Bautista lead all scorers with 21 points on the night while Flint chalked up 18 points in the win.
The Yotes hold the season advantage over the Hustlin’ Owls, having posted an 83-64 win on Dec. 20 in Caldwell and a 79-65 win on Jan. 25 in Klamath Falls.
No. 6 Northwest Christian (17-12, 10-8 CCC) at No. 5 Northwest (20-10, 10-8 CCC)
7 p.m. PST – Kirkland, Wash.
After both teams opened up the tournament on the road, the sixth-seed Northwest Christian Beacons and the fifth-seed Northwest Eagles will meet at NU Pavilion in Kirkland for the right to play for the CCC Championship and a bid to the NAIA tournament.
Northwest hadn’t won at Bart Valentine Court since 2004 but that didn’t stop the Eagles from picking up a 70-55 win over the host Warner Pacific Knights to stay alive and advance in the conference tournament. Dak Shagren connected on all eight of his shots and scored a season-high 23 points to help NU earn the victory.
Northwest Christian hit the road to open the postseason and were able to post their third win of the season against Southern Oregon, earning an 86-74 win in Ashland on Wednesday night. Coleton Baker scored 24 points and made all six of his free throws over the final 70 seconds to seal the win for the Beacons. NCU went 26-of-26 at the line as they moved ahead in the CCC tournament.
The Beacons and the Eagles split their season series this year. NCU earned a 72-65 win in Eugene on Dec. 20 while NU held on for an 89-82 win in Kirkland on Jan. 25.
Saturday’s winners games will meet on Tuesday night for the CCC Championship presented by U.S. Bank title.