Men’s Basketball: Wolves Beat Deacons in Home Opener
Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director
College Place, Wash. – Alec Calloway led the way for Walla Walla tonight with a 19-13 double-double as the Wolves defeated New Hope Christian College. After a tight first half, the Wolves opened up wide margin late in the second half, winning 94-78.
Walla Walla struggled early to find a rhythm on offense and both teams battled back and forth. A three-pointer from Wesley Burke put Walla Walla up 24-21 with 10:29 to go. The Deacons DeMario Harris answered right back with another three to tie up the score. While the Wolves only trailed for a few seconds in the first, they were not able to open up a lead on the scrappy Deacons. Roy Zavala drove to the basket for a layup to put Walla Walla up 46-40 with 52 seconds to go in the first. Harris hit another three for New Hope and the Wolves went into the up three points.
Big man Jacob Vargas found room in the paint and scored the opening points of the second half to put Walla Walla up 48-43. The Wolves size would play a major difference in the final 20 minutes. After getting down nine points rather quickly, a Christian Chapman three brought New Hope back within one point in 11:33 to go. A drive from Michael Isotalo seemed to spark Walla Walla, and they quickly built a 10 lead over New Hope. Calloway was key down the stretch, as he made five field goals over the final nine minutes to help Walla Walla maintain the lead and keep the Deacons out striking distance.
Walla Walla finished with five players in double-figures tonight, with Calloway's 19 leading the team, and Wesley Burke's 18 good for second. Calloway's 13 rebounds was a team high also, with Dylan Browning adding 10 of his own. Michael Isotalo led the team in assist with 5.
Walla Walla faces New Hope again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to conclude the back-to-back homestand with the Deacons.