Upset Minded Wolves Capture Win Over No. 24-Ranked Corban
College Place, Wash. – Walla Walla men's basketball opened its Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) season, hosting No. 24-Ranked Corban University. The teams needed overtime to determine a winner, as the Wolves outscored the Warriors 16-8 in the extra period to register their first conference win while securing the upset bid, 82-74.
Walla Walla (3-4, 1-0) could not have executed a better start, as their defense fueled their start. Wolves' guard Caleb Golden knocked in a triple to start the scoring while the defense held the No. 24-Ranked Warriors scoreless for the first three-plus minutes of the game before Beau Goddenbach got the Warriors on the scoreboard, going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
The Wolves continued their great start, extending the lead to 20-12, as Ethan Ford provided a spark off the bench, scoring eight points in a two-minute stretch. The Warriors were able to chip into the lead after Reece Van Lierop converted a three-point play to make it 17-22 with seven minutes remaining. The Wolves built their largest lead to 10 after Alexander Robertson found KiAndre Gaddy streaking down court for a two-handed dunk.
The Warriors quickly responded in the last two minutes of the half, ending the half on an 8-2 run, as the Wolves took a slim 35-33 lead heading into the half. The Wolves held the Warriors to 30-percent shooting for the half.
Corban took its first lead since the 12-minute mark in the first half after Beau Roggenbach converted a three-point play to give Corban a 38-37 lead two minutes into the second half. The Warriors would extend their lead to five at 43-38, forcing head coach Brandon Broome to take a timeout. The Wolves answered, scoring the next seven points after Zayne Browning knocked down a three-pointer to reclaim the lead at 45-43.
The defense picked back up, as a Mauricio Smith free-throw was the only point for a four-minute stretch before Smith converted a layup that helped the Warriors reclaim the lead at 46-45 at the ten-minute mark. The teams would play even basketball before KiAndre Gaddy knocked in 1-of-2 free throws to tie up the score at 56 with 4:35 remaining to set up an entertaining finish.
The Wolves pushed the lead out to seven as Dylan Browning and Alexander Robertson knocked down back-to-back three-pointers. With two minutes remaining, the Warriors clawed back, cutting the game to a one-possession game at 64-66. After an empty Warriors possession, the Warriors rebounded a Wolves miss and were able to convert a second chance opportunity to tip up the score at 66 with 11 seconds remaining. Coming out of the timeout, the Wolves ran a well-designed play that saw Zayne Browning get some open space off a screen, but the shot fell just short and the game went to overtime tied at 66.
A Warriors free throw gave the Warriors the first lead in overtime, but it would not last long, as a Dylan Browning tough contested two-point layup gave the Wolves back the lead. The Wolves added to their lead, as KiAndre Gaddy converted a three-point play to give the Wolves a 71-67 with just under three minutes remaining.
The Wolves were able to extend the lead out to 10 points, as some great ball-movement and solid defense led to the lead. The Wolves were able to ice the game from the free-throw line to secure the upset bid over the Warriors.
The Wolves were led by KiAndre Gaddy, who registered an impressive double-double with 24 points and 19 rebounds, which tied the school record since joining the CCC. Gaddy also registered four blocks and four steals. Dylan Browning registered a career-high 22 points while freshman forward Ethan Ford provided a huge spark off the bench, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the first half.
The Warriors were led by Beau Goggenbach's double-double, as the forward recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Both teams continue their season tomorrow evening, squaring off for a second time. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Windemuth Court.