OLYMPIA, Wash. – After falling just short of a comeback a night ago, the Multnomah University men's basketball fought back to claim their second Cascade Collegiate Conference win in program history after two free throws by freshman Ben Grandle gave them a 92-91 victory over Evergreen State on Saturday night.
 
With the victory, the Lions improve to 2-18 in the conference and 6-23 overall on the year while the Geoducks fall to 8-20 overall, 5-15 in CCC.
 
Jason Wyncoop secured a rebound for the Lions after a missed free throw attempt by Evergreen with just over seven seconds remaining kept the score 91-90 Geoducks. After a timeout, MU pushed the ball up the court and forced a late foul with .7 left on the clock, giving Grandle a one-and-one opportunity.
 
After hitting the first attempt, Grandle drained the second free throw to give MU the lead and moments later the win. He finished the night with 14 points and a team high 13 rebounds.
 
Senior guard Blake Updike tallied a team high 28 points along with 10 rebounds to complete the double-double while Thomas Simien had 12 points and Jordan Paris had 14 points.
 
"I knew [Grandle] had the nerve to them. The kid shot a bear last year, this was nothing," said head coach Curt Bickley.
 
Down by eight with seven minutes to go, the Lions used an 11-2 run to take a one point advantage but Evergreen continued to find a way to score before a layup by Updike set up the final moments of the night.
 
Alix Hernandez led Evergreen with 27 points and 11 rebounds and added eight assists. Following him was Donald Terry with 24 points Brock Otis with 18 points and Frankie Johnson with eight points and nine assists.
 
The Lions will close out their year on Monday when they welcome in New Hope Christian on senior night.