PORTLAND, Ore. – The Multnomah University men's basketball team held a halftime lead over The Evergreen State College but couldn't hang on, losing to the Geoducks 97-84 on Friday night on Jim Skagen Court.
Evergreen's Danny Powell was the difference maker, recording a game high 36-points which included five 3-points and going 9-for-9 from the free throw line.
The loss moves the Lions to 3-6 overall on the year and 0-2 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play while Evergreen improves to 4-4, 2-0 CCC.
The Geoducks came out firing at the beginning of the game reach a 12-point lead, 19-7 in the opening six minutes of play.
MU continued to fight, making sure not to let the game get out of hand early, before finally taking back the lead after
Ted Hilliard completed an "and-one" to take a 25-24 advantage. The Lions hit two late 3-pointers in the last minute of the half to take a 47-42 lead heading into the break.
"Much better job tonight in competing, to actually have a lead at half time and to be in the game with 10 minutes remaining was refreshing," said head coach
Curt Bickley.
Senior guard
Blake Updike finished the night as the leading scorer for the Lions with 30-points while
Jordan Paris added 16 points with 12 rebounds and Zekiel Martin contributed 13 points and 11 boards.
"Zeke, Jordan and Blake had a productive night that gave us a chance to compete, loved their effort but in the end Powell was simply too much."
Coming off the bench,
Mikey Chown hit three from behind the arc to end with 11 points.
MU's biggest lead came with 14:46 left in the second half after a jumper by Chown made it 65-56. After that, it was all Evergreen as they went on a 17-8 run to tie the game at 73-73 before eventually taking the lead for good after a three by Taylor Drey.
Alix Hernandez and Brock Otis both totaled for 21 points while Hernandez added a team high 16 rebounds.
The Lions return to action tomorrow night at home as they host Northwest University at 7:30 pm Saturday while Evergreen heads to Warner Pacific.
