Knights Claim Team of the Week Honors
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Warner Pacific men’s basketball team, which ended Northwest University’s 15-game win streak, formerly the longest win streak in NAIA Div. 2, has been named the “Verizon Team of the Week” in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the conference office announced Sunday.
“It’s always nice to be recognized when the team has success,” Warner Pacific men’s basketball head coach Jared Valentine said. “Our group of guys has dedicated themselves to working hard and playing together. There's not much more a coach can ask for than that.”
The No. 17 Knights picked up a weekend sweep over Northwest and The Evergreen State College in Portland. WPC has won seven of its last eight games, including a pair of wins over top 10 teams. Warner Pacific improved to 14-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play, and sits in a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference standings, with Oregon Tech and Northwest, two teams they have beat.
Warner Pacific won a defensive battle over No. 10 Northwest Friday, 69-56. The Knights used a double-double performance from Sean Gaines, including a season-high 22 points, to hold off Northwest. WPC held the Eagles to 31 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent shooting from behind the perimeter. Northwest entered the game as the lone undefeated team in NAIA Div. 2.
“Our team played well against a terrific Northwest team this weekend,” Valentine said. “It was a defensive battle and in the end we were able to make a few more shots and pull away. Our effort was good and we passed the ball well enough to win against a quality opponent.”
Saturday, Warner Pacific held Evergreen to 36 percent from the field in a 93-67 win. The Knights were led by four double-digit scorers. Traevone Bowie scored a team-high 15 points. WPC turned 21 Evergreen turnovers into 29 points. Diego Herrejon finished with four points, 10 rebounds, six steals, and three assists.
“Our defense has been the key to us winning games early in the conference schedule,” Valentine said. “We've been able to force some turnovers and hold our own on the boards. This is allowing us to win games in a very good conference, but there is no time to relax. We have two important road games this weekend and we need to keep improving.”
The Knights are currently 17th in NAIA Div. 2, but await the new ranking to be released Monday. Warner Pacific travels to Corban University and Northwest Christian University Friday and Saturday in its next games.
Previous Verizon Team of the Week awardees.