EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Austin Tyner and Sophomore Earnest Ugoagu (pictured) combined to score all of NCU’s 22 points over the final nine minutes on Tuesday night as the Beacons erased a seven-point deficit, claiming an 86-82 win over Corban University in the Cascade Conference opener for both schools.
Falling behind 71-64 and later trailing 74-67, the Beacons outscored the Warriors 19-8 over the last 6 minutes of the contest, completing a comeback in another classic meeting between the in-state rivals. With the win the Beacons break a three-game losing streak in the series.
NCU (6-2, 1-0 CCC) shot 52.3% in the game including a 14-for-28 night from three-point range. The Beacons capitalized on 23 Warrior turnovers, missing the school record for steals by one as they grabbed 19. Six came from Tyrus Hosley who came up one short of the individual single-game record as well.
The Warriors were nearly as efficient shooting the ball, hitting on 51.7% of their shots including a 12-for-25 night beyond the arc. Corban also held a 35-26 edge in rebounding.
Tyner finished the game with 27 points, scoring 19 in the second half. He was 10-for-16 from the field including a 5-for-8 night from deep, adding four steals. Ugoagu added 17 points and four assists while Davonte Cleveland came off the bench to collect 13 points and three steals. Reece Robinson finished the night with eight points and led the team with five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Head Coach Eddie Alexander said, “We had great intensity on defense tonight. We put a lot of emphasis on our ball movement which resulted in great success on the floor tonight. I thought Jay Plunkett gave us some excellent minutes in the first half. Ernest and Austin got hot in the second half as Tyrus executed the offense, getting those guys the ball in key moments. Davonte is our defensive energizer and he deserves a ton of credit for keeping us going tonight.”
Corban was led by Beau Roggenbach, scoring a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Chandler Cavell came off the bench to also score 17, hitting five triples. AJ Hodges scored 13 points and Tyler Wadleigh added ten with each player hitting a pair of three-pointers.
The Beacons will not be in action this weekend as originally scheduled. NCU will pick up a pair of forfeit victories due to Walla Walla cancelling their season. The next action for the Beacons will be on Friday, December 7 when they take on New Hope Christian College at 7:00 pm.
Corban’s next contest will also be against the Deacons as they head back down to Eugene for the road came on December 3 at 7:00 pm.