Bart Valentine Receives Gatorade Soaking
Valentine, Warner Pacific Seniors Close Out Home Schedule with Win
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific survived a challenge from Northwest University to give their seniors and retiring head coach Bart Valentine a win in their last regular season home game at C.C. Perry Gym.
Valentine announced his retirement from coaching several weeks ago, and earned a win in his final home contest in dramatic fashion. After the two teams battled to a draw in the first two halves, it took another five minutes to decide the contest.
In the overtime period, the visiting Eagles struck first on a long three pointer from Ahmaad Cook. The sides traded baskets over the next two minutes, until Biniam Tadele sent the Knights ahead with a clutch make from distance. His trey from the wing put WP up 64-62, but NU tied the game moments later thanks to a Greg George put back.
With the game clock ticking down to less than one minute to play, baskets from WP’s Webster Moreland and Nick Schultens sent the home crowd into a frenzy. NU could not respond as their scoring tries were off the mark. Leading 68-64, Schultens was fouled with 20 seconds to play and seemed certain to seal the victory. Both his tries drew only iron however, and George scored another put back at the other end to bring NU back within two.
The Eagles fouled again to stop the clock, sending Moreland to the line with six seconds remaining. Both attempts from the senior rolled off the rim, giving NU one last gasp. Rushing the ball up court, Ahmaad Cook launched a 30 footer but it fell short, allowing Warner Pacific to escape with the win.
Moreland led the Knights and all scorers with 21 points, and competed the double-double by grabbing 14 rebounds.
Greg Peters led the Eagles with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Warner Pacific improves to 18-8 overall and 11-5 in Cascade Conference play. Northwest drops to 19-6 overall, and is also 11-5 in CCC play.
Valentine was honored after game with news that the floor at C.C. Perry Gym will be named “Bart Valentine Court” in his honor.