FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 21^st, 2024
 
Portland, Ore.| The Knights tried their best to break their losing streak tonight and played well enough to win but unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards and they lost to Walla Walla by a final score of 89-87.
 
This game was an extremely back and forth offensive contest. The Knights shot 50% in the first half and had their largest lead of 9 with 2:55 left in the half. The Wolves didn't let that lead linger for long though and scored a few baskets right before the half ended to cut the deficit to 4. One of those baskets was a tip in by Soren Dalan after a missed free throw as the buzzer sounded. Matt Solomon led the Knights in scoring in the first half with 11 points.
 
The second half was extremely intense with neither team going out to much of a lead at all. Matt Solomon helped carry the Knights with 19 more points including 5-9 from three in the half. With 12 seconds left, the Knights had a chance to win the game with the ball down 89-87. They were trying to go for the win with a 3 when Collin Oestereich unfortunately turned it over trying to pass out to Matt Solomon who might've had a solid look at the win if the ball had gotten there. After that heartbreaker, it was fairly academic from there. The Wolves made just enough free throws and then missed the final one and grabbed the offensive board as time expired.
 
Matt Solomon had a huge game giving the Knights a chance to win the game. Solomon finished with 30 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. The only other Knight in double figures was Maxwell Moses who had 16 points, 4 boards, and 2 assists. Cade Baker and Sean Johnson finished with 9 points, and Collin Oestereich had 8.
 
The was a huge win for Walla Walla not for their season record but for a personal record against Warner Pacific. Walla Walla was 0-28 against Warner Pacific dating back to December 6^th, 1986. This win finally breaks that streak giving them their first win against the Knights.
 
The Knights are now 2-16 overall and 0-12 in conference play.
 
Next Up
The Knights will try to bounce back next weekend when they go on the road to Corban on Friday and Bushnell on Saturday. They will play Corban at 7:30pm on January 26^th in Salem, Oregon.