Jake Love scored 31 points and the Corban men's basketball team downed Northwest Christian in the CCC-opener. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – Jake Love poured in a career-best 31 points as the Corban University men's basketball team took down (RV) Northwest Christian University on Tuesday evening in the 2017-18 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) opener, 82-75. The win for the Warriors marks the team's second straight over the Beacons, following last year's 29-point win in the CCC Tournament in Eugene.
"I am proud of our guys for finding a way to win," said Corban head coach Austin Johnson. "We are still a work in progress, but we got some key contributions from a variety of guys, and that is what it will take every night to win in this league."
NCU scored first on a bucket inside, but it would be the Beacon's last lead of the game. Corban wasted no time in nailing its first three of the night, as on the second possession for Corban, Chris Martin lined up and drained one from deep, giving Corban the early advantage.
Love then got in on the action, nailing a couple of three-pointers, and the Warriors made six in all during the first half en route to taking a seven-point lead into the locker rooms.
In the second half, Corban built its lead to as many as 15 points, but NCU's Michael Loomis led the comeback charge for the Beacons, and eventually with just 2:54 left in regulation, the game was tied at 68-68.
On Corban's next possession, however, Love came up with yet another clutch three-pointer, one of his six on the night, giving Corban the lead again for good. Down the stretch, NCU made a couple of big shots, but the Warriors responded with important buckets of their own and clutch free throws, resulting in the seven-point conference victory.
"Jake was a leader tonight and we need him to continue to be consistent on both sides of the ball," said Johnson. "Roggenbach for a freshman in his first league game played like a veteran, and Chris and AJ did a great job valuing the basketball. We'll start to prepare for a big road weekend tomorrow."
On top of Love's 31 points, Beau Roggenbach added 11 points and nine boards, while Martin tallied 12 points and AJ Monterossi 10 points. Joel Johnson may not have scored much with just four points in the triumph, but his presence was felt with 15 boards and six blocks.
For NCU (3-3, 0-1 CCC), last year's CCC regular-season champion, Loomis totaled 25 points in the defeat to go with nine rebounds, while Austin Tyner notched 17 points in the defeat and Reece Robinson added 11 points.
Corban (4-2, 1-0 CCC) returns to the court for a pair of games this weekend in Walla Walla. The Warriors will face off against Walla Walla University twice, taking on the Wolves at 8 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.