WPC Men Tame Wolves
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific shook off a lackluster first half to stop Walla Walla, 85-62, today in Cascade Conference play.
The Short Story
The Knights emerged victorious over a spirited Walla Walla team today inside C.C. Perry Gym. The Wolves remain winless in CCC play after the result, but the visitors were looking for an upset. After 20 minutes of play Walla Walla led 38-37 and had the Knights confounded in the early action. Warner Pacific had to recover from a 24-11 deficit midway through the first half, and made it happen thanks to a 19-2 run which resulted in a 30-26 lead. WWU didn't quit, and clawed back in front before the buzzer sounded. The second period belonged to WPC, as the Knights scored the first six points to retake the lead and did not relinquish it.
Taylor Young tossed in 18 points to lead the home team, while
De'Jon Bowman scored 12 and grabbed 11 rebounds. WP cranked up the defense after halftime, forcing 17 turnovers from the Wolves.
How it Happened
• Walla Walla came ready to play, and led 5-0 before the game was a minute old.
• The Knights responded and took a 6-5 lead, but the Wolves surged out to a 24-11 advantage behind two three-pointers from Michael Isotalo.
• WPC woke up at that point and outscored WWU 19-2 over the next eight minutes of play.
Spencer Bankofier's second make from distance made the score 33-28 in favor of the home team.
• There was no quit in the Wolves, and after Ryan Spady scored a putback the visitors went into the break leading 38-37.
• Coming out of halftime, WP put together another big run - this time 17-2 to sprint out to a 54-40 lead.
• WWU managed to trim the gap back down to single digits (56-49) with 10:33 to play thanks to a a jumper from Andrew Nye.
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Earl Jones put Warner Pacific back on track with two baskets, two steals, and two assists over the next three minutes.
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De'Jon Bowman put the final stamp on the game with a thunderous slam dunk with 1:44 remaining.