La Grande, Ore. – Walla Walla concluded the Quinn Classic tournament by squaring off against Westcliff University (Calif.) Saturday evening. After a historic night the prior night, Zayne Browning wasted no time one-upping last night’s career night. Browning etched his name into the WWU record book by breaking a CCC-school scoring record and tying the overall school-scoring record set back in 2014 by Luke Spady. Browning scored 24 of his 38 in the second half that help fueled a WWU second-half surge, as the Wolves prevailed 91-79 and improved to 2-0 on the season.
Westcliff came out of the gates early, scoring the first two buckets of the half in a span of 30 seconds to take a quick 5-0 lead. The Wolves offense responded, however, as they went on a quick 6-0 run to give them their first lead of the contest. With the Wolves going cold the next four minutes Westcliff was able to build their largest lead of the half, 13-6. The teams continued to exchange buckets over the next four minutes as the Warriors were able to extend their lead out to nine and continued to hold onto this lead for the next eight-plus minutes.
As the end of the first half ticked down, the Wolves found themselves down by seven with just over three minutes on the clock. A 7-0 spurt ignited by Artur Borges Paraizo gave the Wolves their first lead since 7-5 at 40-39. The lead did not last long, however, as Richard Serrano took an inbounds pass 80 feet from the basket and sliced his way through the Wolves defense to beat the first half buzzer and give the Warriors a 41-40 lead going into the half.
Coming out of the half, the Warriors scored a quick bucket to give them a 43-40 lead. This would be the last time they would see a lead, as the Wolves exploded for a 10-0 run, the first big run that either team had so far. Ignited by timely defense and an aggressive offensive attack mode, Zayne Browning inserted his will into the game at the 13:25 mark. For a five minute stretch, Browning could not be denied as he scorched the Warriors for 14 of his career-high 38 points in that span, highlighted by a few three-point plays and some crafty layups.
The Wolves continued to take advantage off turnovers and fouls, as the Warriors committed 17 second-half fouls in addition to the Wolves forcing the Warriors into 10 second-half turnovers.
In the last eight minutes of the second half the Wolves were able to convert on 10 of their last 19 possessions to hold a comfortable 10-plus lead and pick up their second victory in as many days.
Zayne Browning and his new career-high led the Wolves offense. Browing sprinkled in 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and shot 12-15 from the free-throw line on the night. Wolves point guard Artur Borges Pairazo stabilized the Wolves offense and recorded 17 points while running ball-handling duties.
The Warriors were led by Jacob Knox and his double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds), while Ronnie Davis, the only other Warrior to record double-figures notched 12 points on the night.
The Wolves hope to continue their early season success in their next game. The Wolves will travel to Lewiston, Idaho to participate in the Clear Water Classic. The first game is scheduled for Friday, November 8 at 2 p.m. against Montana Western.