Wolves Bounce Back With A Victory Over Warriors
Box Score Morgan Doyle, Sports Information Director Assistant
College Place, Wash. – The Wolves were ready to battle right from the start today against Corban. Seeking revenge after the game last night, Walla Walla beat the Warriors 83-80 with 28 points from Jacob Vargas.
The Warriors Caleb Dozier made a layup to put the Warriors up to start the game. The Wolves resounded quickly with a jumper from big man Jacob Vargas. Vargas followed with a three for the Wolves to take the lead. Over the course of the first seven minutes, Vargas scored 10 of the Wolves 16 points, lifting Walla Walla to an early four-point lead.
After a breakaway from AJ Montesorri, the Wolves were up just one point with just under four minutes left in the half. The Warriors briefly took the lead, and it took a difficult drive and finish from Roy Zavala to tie things up at 31 a piece with a minute and a half to go. The Warriors controlled the last possession, and as time was expiring Chris Martin created separation with a step back three to give Corban a 34-31 lead going into the half.
The Wolves tied things up early in the second before letting the Warriors work their way up to a six-point lead after a and one from Mike Seng. Walla Walla went on an 8-3 run to tie things up at 45 apiece with 14:23 on a clock after a pair of free-throws from Zavala. Corban took a one-point lead and Walla Walla's Alijiah Robinson stole back the momentum with a monster put-back dunk. Walla Walla used that momentum to build an eight point lead with eight minutes remaining in the game.
While the Wolves would remain in the lead for the remainder of the game, it seemed as though the Warriors could come back at any time. Vargas pulled down a big offensive rebound and Alex Calloway turned that into a three-pointer with 1:35 to go to put the Wolves up 74-64.
Corban carefully used their timeouts over the final 90 seconds to set up opportunities to make four three-pointers. The Wolves went 7 of 8 from the free throw line but the long ball made the differences for the Warriors. After a pair of made free-throws from Wesley Burke, the Warriors had one final chance to tie the game up but Andrew Evens just missed on a three as the clock was winding down and Alec Calloway pulled down the final rebound of the game as the Wolves won 83-80.
Walla Walla's Jacob Vargas led all scorers with 28 points and 6 rebounds. Walla Walla's had Wesley Burke with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Alec Calloway with 12 points and 8 rebounds. AJ Monterossi led Corban in scoring with 22 points.
Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. the Wolves play Lewis-Clark State College at home.