FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 5, 2026
Portland, Ore.| The Warner Pacific University men's basketball team returned to its home court Thursday afternoon, hosting Benedictine University Mesa in its 2026-27 home opener at CC Perry Gymnasium. Despite a competitive first half that saw the Knights enter the break trailing by just one point, Warner Pacific fell to the visiting Redhawks 89-73.
Kayin Turner led the Warner Pacific offense with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds, converting six of his 10 free-throw attempts.
Tyson Parker provided another strong performance off the bench, finishing with 17 points, while
Jevon Blackmore added 13 points and three rebounds.
The Knights came out ready to compete in front of their home crowd, establishing an early offensive rhythm in a tightly contested opening half that featured three ties and five lead changes.
Warner Pacific found success from beyond the arc during the opening 20 minutes, connecting on 6-of-14 three-point attempts (42.9 percent) to keep pace with the Redhawks.
Both teams continued trading baskets throughout the first half, with neither side able to establish a commanding advantage. Benedictine Mesa eventually took a narrow 43-42 lead into halftime, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
However, Warner Pacific struggled to maintain its offensive efficiency following the break.
The Knights were limited to 32.4 percent shooting from the field over the final 20 minutes, including just 1-of-16 from three-point range, as the Redhawks began building momentum.
Benedictine Mesa capitalized on Warner Pacific's shooting struggles, gradually extending its advantage throughout the second half. Despite the Knights' continued efforts to generate offense and close the gap, the Redhawks maintained control down the stretch to secure the 89-73 victory.
Warner Pacific received contributions throughout its lineup, particularly from its reserves.
Andrew Gooding provided an efficient performance off the bench, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds while shooting a perfect 2-for-2 from the field.
Kevin Hymes added seven points, three rebounds and a team-high two steals, contributing on both ends of the floor.
Liam Ruttledge finished with three points and four rebounds, while
Dominic Papworth chipped in four points.
Sam Harrison also contributed on the glass, helping the Knights compete for rebounds throughout the contest.
As a team, Warner Pacific finished 25-of-64 from the field (39.1 percent), 7-of-30 from three-point range (23.3 percent) and 16-of-32 from the free-throw line (50.0 percent).
Despite the loss, the Knights found success in several statistical categories, outscoring Benedictine Mesa 35-23 in bench points and holding a 12-8 advantage in second-chance points.
Warner Pacific also made an impact defensively, forcing turnovers that resulted in 19 points off turnovers. Benedictine Mesa was led by Taevon Pierre-Louis, who recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Trenten Lavender added 14 points, while Naajy Bynum-Bey and Elijah Edwards contributed 12 points apiece.
Although the result did not go Warner Pacific's way, the Knights showed their ability to compete with the Redhawks throughout the opening half. WPU will look to build on those positives while improving its offensive consistency as the two teams prepare to meet again.
Next Up
Warner Pacific will conclude its two-game home series against Benedictine University Mesa on Saturday morning at CC Perry Gymnasium. The Knights will look to bounce back and earn a split in the series, with tip-off scheduled for 11am.
