Corban used a total team effort in a 90-80 win over Oregon Tech.
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball team put together one of its most complete performances of the 2016-17 campaign in a 90-80 win over Oregon Tech on Saturday evening, using a total team effort in the key Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) victory.
"Our guys bounced back tonight and played with great energy," said Corban men's basketball head coach Austin Johnson. "It wasn't pretty, but we kept battling. OIT really hurt us on the glass, and you have to credit them for how hard they play every possession."
Both teams started the game hot with a three-pointer on either end. Caleb Dozier nailed the long-range effort for Corban's first basket of the contest, extending the Warriors' streak to 977-straight games with a made three-pointer, remaining the longest streak in the NAIA. In a back and forth first half, the Warriors were very efficient from the field, hitting 58.3% of their shots while locking down defensively to hold Oregon Tech to just a 40-point output offensively in the first 20 minutes.
Corban took a 49-40 lead into the halftime intermission knowing that the Owls would come out and make a run at the Warriors. And the run from Oregon Tech came right away, as the Owls pulled to within three points after the first couple of minutes, but Corban was able to provide the response time and time again in the second half to stave off the Owls and register the win.
Whether it was AJ Monterossi with a key jumper or layup, or at times Mike Seng coming off the bench to hit a key three-pointer, the Warriors maintained a lead for the entirety of the second half. Another key player for the Warriors with some very timely buckets was Samuel Adjei, as he scored just six points, but his eight rebounds were a team high, and many of the boards came at pivotal moments in the game.
"I was very pleased with the play of our freshman," said Johnson. "They gave us the life that allowed us to come away with a win tonight. Proud of our guys, but we'll keep seeking improvement."
Corban shot 52.2% on the evening while holding Oregon Tech to a 42.7% shooting mark. Both teams made six long-range efforts, while Corban went 14-of-18 from the charity stripe with Oregon Tech going just 10-of-16 from the line.
Chris Martin led the way offensively with 21 points for the Warriors, shooting 7-for-12 on the night and 3-of-6 from deep to go with five boards and two assists. Complementing his effort was Monterossi with 19 points and three assists, while Joel Johnson had a big game down low, going 8-for-10 from the field with 16 points and five rebounds. In addition, Seng finished the night with 10 points for the Navy and Gold.
For Oregon Tech (6-5, 0-2 CCC), it was Joel Yellow Owl leading the way with 18 points, while both Brando Halter and Mitchell Fink who scored 15 points for the Owls.
Corban (8-4, 1-1 CCC) returns to action next week when it travels east to take on Eastern Oregon University and the College of Idaho. Tipoff on Friday against Eastern is set for 7:30 p.m.