Tyler Wadleigh led the way for Corban in Saturday's victory over Northwest. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – In a pair of crucial Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) contests this weekend, the Corban University men's basketball team came out with two big triumphs, capping off the weekend with a resounding 84-61 victory over Northwest on Saturday night.
"Our guys executed on both ends of the floor tonight," said head coach Mitch Freeman. "Holding a team like Northwest, who has been playing well, to 39% shooting is a testament to how well we have been defending. Our guys shared the ball and found the hot hand for rhythm shots! It was great to see our guys stay sharp and competitive in back to back games."
After falling behind early in the first half, the Warriors came storming back to capture a 42-30 lead heading into the locker room. The crowd at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center ignited as the momentum swung in the Warriors' favor, with Tyler Wadleigh and Dalton Patchen sparking the Corban rally with a couple of staggering crossovers leading to buckets.
AJ Hodges led the charge in the latter frame, showcasing his ability to get to the rim and strike from the perimeter while scoring the squad's first seven points of the half. It was all Corban from there on out, with the Warriors replicating their first-half scoring output to clinch the 84-61 victory.
Hodges would finish the night with a game-high 20 points, while also tacking on three assists. Also impressive out of the backcourt was Wadleigh, who came one floater shy of a perfect shooting performance with his 13 points (5-of-6 from the field, 3-of-3 from beyond the arc), five assists, and four rebounds.
The Warriors' shooting was outstanding throughout the night, with the team finishing with a 53.1% mark from the floor and a 42.1% shooting percentage from the three-point line.
Also key to Corban's victory was the Navy and Gold's shutdown defense, which tallied six blocks (five of which came from Joel Johnson) and held Northwest playmaker Hussayn Ford to just 11 points.
The Warrior defense will almost certainly be tested again this weekend, as Corban looks ahead to a road swing that features Multnomah—home of the NAIA's leading scorer, Justin Martin—and Warner Pacific.
The Friday/Saturday games are both scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. in Portland, Ore.