Box Score PORTLAND, Ore. - Warner Pacific held off a spirited effort from Evergreen tonight, 79-70, to claim their fifth consecutive win in Cascade Conference play.  

The visiting Geoducks (2-14, 1-8 CCC) were the hot team early as they found holes in the WP zone and led 24-22 after 10 minutes of play. The Knights matched ESC point for point however, and took the lead for good at the 5:10 mark of the first half on a layup from Michael Hall. Warner Pacific finished the first half with a 12-2 run that sent them to the locker rooms with a 45-33 advantage.

The host Knights (12-9, 6-3 CCC) controlled the early action in the second half also and led by as many as 16 in the period, only to see the Geoducks cut the margin to a single point. Trailing 58-43 with 13:48 on the clock, Evergreen scored 14 straight points to put WP on their heels and start thinking about the upset. 

The margin was again at a single point with 5:54 remaining, but back to back three pointers from WP's Doug Thomas and Ryan Parks restored order and sent the Knights to the eventual nine point decision.

Doug Thomas scored 19 points to lead Warner Pacific, while Josh Black threw in a season best 10 points to go along with eight assists. Ryan Parks connected on five treys, sending him into the #2 spot on the Knights career list for three pointers made with 191, surpassing Phil Pickering (1988-91).

Evergreen was led by Jordan Dam with 19 points. He was aided by Dre Taylor and Cody Peters with 13 points each.

COMING UP: The Knights will face rival Concordia on Saturday, January 25 in Cascade Conference clash of second place teams. Tip off is 7:30 pm.