COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — An early second half run and a wild finish is all it took for the Walla Walla Men's Basketball team to earn the first victory of the season in a 65-63 win over Warner Pacific in a Cascade Conference game on Saturday.

The Knights took a 16-point lead into the halftime break and looked well on their way to earn their second conference victory of the season. The Wolves erased the deficit in just seven minutes and 20 seconds when Soren Dalan completed the and-1 to tie the game at 47-47. The lead was traded back-and-forth and neither team was able to extend a lead more than four points the rest of the contest.

"They say winning is hard … yeah we know," Walla Walla coach Brandon Broome said. "I can only commend the team for staying committed and connected throughout this season, finally being rewarded for their hard work tonight."

Walla Walla snapped a 27-game losing streak dating back to last season and are now 1-21 on the season and 1-15 in CCC play. Warner Pacific dropped to 5-19 overall and 1-15 in conference action.

The Wolves led by three after an athletic offensive rebound and putback by Chike Ezeonu with 30 seconds to go in the game. Nzube Mekkam drilled a 3 on the ensuing possession for the Knights to tie the game with 11 seconds to go. After a timeout, Reese Snellman tried to drive the lane and was fouled. The sophomore hit one of two free throws and gave WWU the lead for good. Ezeonu added a free throw with a second remaining to wrap up the scoring.

Dalan tied a program record (since 2009) with his 24th double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. KiAndre Gaddy had 24 double-doubles from 2019-2022. The junior has recorded a double-double in five consecutive games.

JT Fenz added 10 points and Jordan Jackson finished with nine points and two steals for the Wolves. Eight different players scored for WWU in the victory.

The Wolves did not lead in the game until Jackson stole the ball and scored on the other end on a fast break with five minutes remaining. Walla Walla led 57-56 after the bucket. The Wolves held Warner Pacific to 28.6% shooting in the second half.

Tyson Parker led the Knights with 25 points on 8-of-19 shooting and had four 3-pointers. Mekkam added 13 points and Isiah Salim dished out six assists.

UP NEXT

The Wolves go on their final road trip of the season with games against Northwest (Feb. 13) and Evergreen State (Feb. 14).

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