After losing their first two games of the 2024-25 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) men’s basketball season, The Evergreen State College found itself in the winning column, battling off an equally resolute Northwest University, 85-79, at the Constantino Recreation Center in Olympia on Dec. 10.
Tacoma-born senior guard Jourdan Joseph, returning from his absence in the roster last season, provided crucial buckets for the Geoducks as he tied his season-high in scoring with 24 points, including 17 huge points in the second half and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Alongside Joseph in double-digits was junior guard Bradley Graham with 15 points and wing player Garret Long with 12, while forward Solomon Campbell led the Geoducks in boards with six rebounds along with eight points.
It was a tight encounter for both teams in the opening half. The hosts could not fully dictate the first minutes, while the Eagles, led by their top scorer Neil Wobrock, kept the game close with the opening 20 minutes ending with Evergreen up 40-37.
Joseph and Graham opened the second half with two treys, as Evergreen stretched the lead to 53-44 with 16 minutes left in the game.
Long and Jerry Boston Jr. added to the scoring party, as they, along with some luck due to foul trouble from the visitors, extended the Geoducks lead to 66-54 at the middle of the half.
Despite the Eagles trying to force a late comeback, they never regained the lead as the Geoducks defended the paint to hold their advantage.
At the final minute, Wobrock and the Northwest managed to cut the deficit to 81-77, but it was just too late as foul trouble got in their way and the Geoducks didn’t miss free throws at the end.
The Geoducks had the better three-point shooting in the game at 52.4% compared with 40.0% for Northwest University. The Geoducks also shot 77.78% at the free-throw line.
This first win for the Geoducks could boost their morale for upcoming games, as they strive to do better than last year's record of 3-19.
After exhibition matches, conference play resumes on Dec. 20 as the Geoducks host Warner Pacific University, and then Multnomah on Dec. 21 at home.
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