PORTLAND, Ore. – Thanks to a number of clutch shots late on, the Corban University men's basketball team defeated Warner Pacific University on Saturday night on the road, 89-85. For the Warriors, it marked the first triumph on the road at Warner Pacific since the 2013-14 season.
"These guys showed tremendous resiliency in finding a way to fight back into it to get the win on the road, especially after starting off so slow," said Corban head coach Mitch Freeman. "We made some timely baskets down the stretch, along with knocking down 10-of-13 from the free-throw line."
Trailing by two with 42 seconds remaining, Tyler Wadleigh nailed yet another big shot for the Warriors, draining an attempt from downtown to give Corban the one-point lead. This go-ahead bucket came after last night's game-winner at Multnomah.
After Warner Pacific missed its attempt at the other end, it became a game of Corban needing to make its free throws while playing quality defense, and the Warriors did just that, going 6-for-6 in the final minute en route to sealing the victory.
Wadleigh finished with 15 points on a 5-for-7 shooting effort, all while going a perfect 3-for-3 from deep and dishing out four assists. AJ Hodges led the way in the triumph for Corban with 24 points, while Dalton Patchen contributed 14 points and Beau Roggenbach notched 11 points.
"Denis was terrific defensively down the stretch," said Freeman, "and Tyler came up with a big shot that gave us the lead."
One of the key moments that turned the tide late in the final minute was when Denis Kirichenko drew a 'charge', giving the Warriors the ball back, allowing Corban to ultimately seal the deal.
Corban (18-7, 9-6 CCC) returns to the hardwood next weekend when it hosts Southern Oregon University and Oregon Tech on Friday and Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. both nights in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.