SALEM, Ore. – A late first-half run propelled the Ottawa University (Ariz.) Spirit to an 87-71 victory over the Corban University men's basketball team on Friday afternoon, spoiling the Navy and Gold's first contest of the Corban Classic.
The visitor lead sat at just four with under six minutes left to play in the first half, but the Spirit closed the period on a pivotal 16-4 run to create some separation and enter the locker room with momentum.
The Navy and Gold fought valiantly to cut into the 18-point margin in the second half, at one point climbing within eight points (7:15, 2nd), but the early deficit would prove to be too much to overcome in the end.
Ottawa has shown itself capable of playing elite basketball in the early portion of the 2021-22 season, defeating NCAA Division I University of Denver in an exhibition on November 12. The Spirit shot at an exceptional 53.3% clip from the floor as a team in this afternoon's duel, while winning the battle of the boards by a 42-29 margin.
Ottawa turned in a balanced scoring effort in the triumph, registering six players—Kam Malbrough, Josiah De'laCerda, Keshawn Bruner, Kolten Hitt, Devin Collins, and Jayce Catchings—in double-figures. Malbrough led the team with 17 points, adding four rebounds, while Collins dominated the paint with his 12 points and 13 boards (double-double).
Corban's Jordan Newt led all players with 20 points, powered by four triples. In addition, Darius Henderson added 16 points and seven boards, while Talin Lewis' nine points and four rebounds provided a spark off the bench for the squad.
Corban (4-4) will look to stop a three-game skid tomorrow afternoon, hosting Portland Bible College at 2 p.m. inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center in the final contest of the Corban Classic.
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