AJ Monterossi scored 18 points for the Warriors in the win over Northwest. Click 'Play' Button on photo for full video highlights. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men’s basketball team got off to its slowest offensive start of the year on Friday evening in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, but the Warriors showed that it is not about how you start, but about how you finish, ultimately coming from behind to defeat Northwest University, 71-60. For the Navy and Gold, it is its first win of the 2015 calendar year.
While Corban extended its three-point streak to 927 straight games with a made shot from downtown to continue to lead all of collegiate basketball, it turned out to be the inside play for the Warriors and points-in-the-paint that proved to be the difference, as Corban won that battle 36-20.
The Warriors began the game very slowly and did not actually make their first shot from the field until there was 11:15 left in the first half when senior guard Jordan Carter (Salem, Ore.) converted on a layup opportunity for Corban, ultimately finishing off the three-point play the hard way with the free throw.
Northwest extended its lead with a couple of made baskets to 17-6, but then junior forward Cyrus Ward (Gig Harbor, Wash.) established his presence in the paint, scoring on consecutive takes to the rack. Later in that first half, Ward again scored down low to bring Corban to within two points, and then Carter completed the comeback with a layup on the fast break. By the halftime intermission, the Warriors ended up trailing by just three points after freshman guard AJ Monterossi (Beaverton, Ore.) nailed a mid-range jumper at the first-half buzzer.
To begin the second stanza, the Navy and Gold looked like a team on a mission, playing dominant defense and scoring on virtually every trip down the floor. The Warriors used a 15-0 run to bring the Corban crowd to its feet as the Navy and Gold held a 46-34 advantage at the 14:09 mark in the second stanza. During that run, it was Monterossi and sophomore forward Cody Crowe (Grants Pass, Ore.) supplying the offense with a pair of baskets each, while sophomore guard Caleb Herzberg (Beaverton, Ore.) came up clutch for Corban when he nailed the Warriors’ first three-pointer of the evening during that second-half offensive spurt. That was the longest Corban had waited during the 2014-15 season to make its first three-pointer of the game.
From that point on, it was a very back-and-forth affair, with both sides attacking the rim and making tough shots, but it was Monterossi and Ward who carried much of the load for the Warriors, as both made crucial shots for Corban down the stretch.
Corban ultimately finished the game strong, making its free throws and closed out the evening with the 11-point CCC triumph.
“After getting off to a very slow start, the team played the best defense I’ve seen this year,” stated head coach Steve Masten. “And in the second half, we came out like a team that didn’t want to lose.”
During that second half, Corban outscored Northwest (12-10, 3-7 CCC) by 14 points. As a team, the Warriors shot 47.9% from the field and 74.2% from the line (23-31). With 23 made free throws, the Warriors had more makes than the Eagles did attempts from the charity stripe, proving to be another key area where the Warriors won Friday night’s battle.
Individually, it was Ward who scored a team-best 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting with seven boards. Monterossi also had an efficient night, scoring 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go along with four boards and three assists.
Following the contest, Monterossi talked about the win in a post-game interview.
For Northwest, Brandyn Winkley scored a team-best 20 points for the Eagles.
Corban (10-9, 3-7 CCC) returns to the court tomorrow evening to take on The Evergreen State College Geoducks (3-14, 0-10 CCC). Tipoff in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.