Warriors win second straight season-opener over Beacons

November 8, 2005

BOX SCORE

EUGENE, Ore. – Coming off a season that began with an 18-game win streak and a number one ranking there were a lot of eyes on Corban’s men’s basketball team as they opened the 2005-2006 campaign.  The team did not disappoint the Warrior faithful, claiming a 101-85 victory over Northwest Christian on Tuesday night.

The Warriors were led to their first victory of the season by All-American senior Eric Fiegi (Medford, Ore.), as they earned their second straight season opening win over the Beacons.

The 6-foot-9 senior from South Medford High School scored a game-high 42 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, while shooting 17-for-25 (68.0%) from the field, including 8-for-14 (57.1%) from the free throw line.  In 37 minutes of action, Fiegi (pictured right) also handed out 1 assist and recorded 3 steals in his final season opener in a Warrior uniform.

“I felt that we played well tonight,” said Fiegi.  “We knew that this would be a tough test because Northwest Christian has improved a lot since last season.  I am disappointed with my free throw shooting, but I know that we (the team) need to focus on things one game at a time and prepare for Lewis-Clark State this weekend.”

Along with Fiegi, junior Ben Sisler (Corvalllis, Ore.) and senior Chris Lynn (Kent, Wash.) scored 13 and 11 points respectively, while junior Brad Reynoso (Salem, Ore.) chipped in with 10 points off the bench.  Fiegi was helped on the boards by juniors J.D. Hill (Lebanon, Ore.) and Ryan Heil (Medford, Ore.), who grabbed 8 and 5 rebounds respectively.  Sisler led Corban with a team-high 7 assists, while Heil and Lynn each dished out 4 assists.

Corban shot 37-for-69 (53.6%) from the field, including 16-for-22 (72.7%) from the free throw line, while Northwest Christian shot 30-for-65 (46.2%) from the field, including 19-for-29 (65.5%) from the free throw line.

Northwest Christian was led by Josh Harbert’s team-high 19 points, while Jesse Taylor and Aaron Hegge recorded 13 and 11 points respectively.  Harbert and Gabe Buhler led the Beacons with 4 rebounds, while Carden Gambee handed out a game-high 8 assists for Northwest Christian.

With the win, Corban opens the season 1-0, while Northwest Christian falls to 0-1.  The Warriors are next in action on Saturday, November 12th, when they travel east to take on Lewis-Clark State beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Lewiston, Idaho.