SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University men's basketball team closed the book on 2019 in dominating fashion, cruising to a resounding 40-point victory (93-53) over The Evergreen State College on Saturday evening.
"It's always great to get into Christmas break with a win," said head coach Mitch Freeman. "We shared the ball and played with a chip on our shoulder for 40 minutes. This is the type of sense of urgency that we need to play with for longer stretches of the game."
Corban was in control from the onset, starting the game with a 15-2 run and never looking back. Five Warriors—Jake Estep (13 points), Dominique Lawrence (12 points), Beau Roggenbach (11 points), Mauricio Smith (10 points) and Denis Kirichenko (10 points)—finished in double-figures as part of a balanced offensive effort.
Estep's efficiency paced the Navy and Gold offense, with the Beaverton, Ore. native's game-high 13 points coming off a 4-of-6 (3-of-5 3PT) shooting effort.
In his first start of the season, Lawrence finished just two boards shy of a double-double, providing energy down low for Freeman and company. Roggenbach also narrowly missed a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds in the triumph.
Evergreen's Raven Frazier led the squad with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while Danny Nelson (10 points) provided the Geoducks with an offensive boost off the bench.
In the ever-competitive Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), the win provides the Warriors with some valuable momentum heading into the new year.
"We now have a much-needed break to enjoy Christmas," added Freeman, looking at the road ahead. "Then we will get back to CCC play against C of I and Eastern Oregon."
After a brief hiatus, the Warriors (8-7, 2-3 CCC) will open 2020 with a pair of crucial matchups against conference foes No. 5 College of Idaho (January 3) and Eastern Oregon (January 4).