Walla Walla's First Half Shooting Struggles From the Field in Loss to Warner Pacific
COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – The Walla Walla University Wolves lose 73-53 to the Warner Pacific College Knights at home on Windemuth Court.
Ethan Osias opened the game 2 for 2 from 3-Point land early to give Walla Walla University (2-10, 0-5) a strong start against Warner Pacific College (8-4, 4-0).
The Wolves and Knights would trade baskets in the opening minutes of the first half. However, at about midway through the first period, Warner Pacific started to pull away giving themselves a 32-15 lead over Walla Walla, with seven minutes to go before halftime.
Chad Torkelson of the Wolves, drained two 3-Pointers to energize Walla Walla’s team, but the Warner Pacific Knights responded with two 3’s of their own from Earl Jones and Collin Malcolm to stop any late half surges from the Wolves.
Torkelson led all scorers in the first half with 12 points off of four 3-pointers. However, Warner Pacific’s 56% field goal percentage and 16 points off of Walla Walla turnovers would give them a 49-24 lead at the break.
In the second half both teams started out slow, until Warner Pacific’s forward, Malcolm, stole the ball and skied above the rim to slam in two fast break points to help fire up his team.
Walla Walla fought hard, but after that, Warner Pacific would retain their double digit lead throughout the rest of the half and go on to defeat the Wolves 73-53.
Chad Torkelsen of Walla Walla scored 19 points to lead all scorers. Ethan Osias added 11 points while David Reischach had 6 points and rebounds.
Collin Malcolm and Taylor Young led the way for Warner Pacific College with 13 points each with 10 and 6 rebounds respectively.