By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Joel Johnson scored 20 points to lead four Corban University players in double figures, as the Warriors pulled away from Willamette University in the final nine minutes of the first half on their way to a 95-56 win over the Bearcats. Corban shot 54.2% for the game, including 9 of 20 on 3-point shots, while improving to 4-3 overall. Willamette shot just 29.5% from the field and fell to 1-2 on the season.

Johnson was 8 of 10 from the field and led the Warriors with 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. He was joined in double figures by Chris Martin, AJ Monterossi and Jake Love. Martin hit 6 of 9 field goals, including 3 of 5 three-point attempts, on is way to 18 points. Monterossi and Love each tallied 13 points. Love grabbed six rebounds, while Monterossi earned four rebounds and tied Martin with four assists.

Jordan Jenkins (So., F, Placentia, CA/Valencia HS) led the Bearcats with 12 points. He was 3 of 5 from the field and 2 for 2 on 3-pointers. Brendon McCullough (Jr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) scored nine points to go with two assists and two steals. Dylan Critchfield (Jr., P, Broomfield, CO/Standley Lake HS) provided Willamette with eight points and a team-high five rebounds.

Corban took a 7-3 lead in the first three minutes, but Willamette puled within 7-6 on a 3-pointer by Jenkins at the 15:39 mark. The Warriors countered with a 13-4 run to claim a 20-10 advantage with 10:33 remaining in the half. Toby Roth started the run with a 3-pointer, while Hayden Nelson completed the run by going 4-for-4 during two trips to the free throw line.

The next five points were all scored by Jenkins, as WU pulled within 20-15. Jenkins hit two free throws with 9:46 on the clock, and then put through a 3-point shot 24 seconds later.

Willamette did not score again until Casey Thornton (Jr., W, Santa Rosa, CA/Maria Carrillo HS) sank a pair of free throws with 1:48 left in the half. In between, Corban scored 28 unanswered points. The Warriors led 53-24 at halftime.

The Bearcats started the second half with a 14-9 run to get within 62-38 with 13:55 left on a 3-pointer by McCullough. The Warriors answered with an 11-2 run to regain control.

Corban, which shot 58.8% in the first half (20 of 34), cooled off to 44.8% (13 of 49) in the second half. Willamette improved from 23.3% in the first half (7 of 30) to 35.5% (11 of 31) over the final 20 minutes.

Led by Johnson's 11 boards, the Warriors ended the game with a 53-32 rebounding margin. Willamette committed 14 turnovers, while Corban lost possession 11 times.

Up next for the Bearcats is the Rocky Mountain Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by Colorado College this weekend. The Bearcats will take on St. Johns University (Minn.) on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. MST/4 p.m. PST. Willamette will battle Augsburg College (Minn.) on Saturday, Nov. 26, also at 5 p.m. MST/4 p.m. PST.