PORTLAND – Improving to 5-0 in one of the most exciting games in program history, the Multnomah University men's basketball team set an NAIA record, making 38 three-pointers in their 147-124 win over Pacific University on Saturday.
THE BASICS:
Final: Pacific 124, Multnomah 147
Records: PU (1-1), MU (5-0)
Location: Portland, Ore. I Jim Skagen Court
GAME SUMMARY:
- In a fast paced, high offense game featuring two unique offenses, the Lions and Boxers combined for 271 points.
- Multnomah opened the game with five three pointers in the first four minutes of play before building a 27-point lead with eight minutes left in the opening half.
- The Lions tallied 23 three-pointers in the first half, scoring 89 points as they headed into the break with the lead, 89-65.
- MU continued to let the deep shot fly in the second half as Ben Grandle hit the 30th three-pointer of the night to break the NAIA record, originally set by the Lions during the 2015 season.
- Pacific continued to fight and push their own high tempo offense but couldn't find an answer for the Lions' shooters.
KEY PERFORMERS:
- Justin Martin and Zach Richardson led the Lions, each scoring 49 points against the Boxers. Martin finished with 14 three-pointers while Richardson made 13.
- Brett Blackstock added 27 points followed by 15 points from Grandle.
- Briggs Young found the open man all night, dishing out a game-high 18 assists, two short of his program record set a few weeks back.
BEYOND THE BOX:
- Off to the best start in program history, the Lions have shot lights out in all five games, averaging a shooting percentage of 46 percent from behind the arc. MU has made 132 threes as four players average 22 or more points per contest.
- The Lions rank first in NAIA Division II in 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, points per game and 3-point percentage.
COMING UP NEXT:
The Lions will travel next weekend as they head to College of Idaho's Domino's Classic to take on Embry-Riddle and Montana Tech.
