PORTLAND, Ore. – After splitting their last two games at the Taco Bell Shootout Tournament in Caldwell, Idaho, the Multnomah University Lions (5-3) faced off against the Simpson University Red Hawks (3-3) on Friday night. The size and strength of the Red Hawks proved to be the deciding factor as Simpson defeated MU 91-112.
Justin Martin seemed to be unguardable for most of the night, dancing and dazzling his way around a variety of Simpson defenders play after play to total 53 points and 7 assists for the game. However, the Lions troubles were on the defensive side of the ball as Simpson freshman Nathan Presnell bruised his way to a 39-point 10-rebound double-double, finishing with most of his points in the paint.
The Lions were facing off against a Simpson team that held a roster of 11 players that were 6'4" or taller, including 7'1" Harvey Barr who finished with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Lions,
Forrest Smith and
Grant Balvanz each scored 9 points, and
Zach Richardson added 8 points of his own.
Stepan Zavydovskyy contested every shot the Simpson bigs threw his way, blocking 4 shots and reeling in 13 boards.
Head coach
Curt Bickley shared his thoughts on the night, "Justin was fantastic tonight shooting and passing the ball. We did not have an answer for Presnell as he dominated us down low. Overall, it was not a great shooting night for us as a team, and it cost us, but there will be nights like that for shooting teams. On to the next one…"
Up next for the Lions is a home matchup with the University of Maine Fort Kent on Saturday, November 30
th at 1:00 PM.
