The Titans controlled the game and kept pace for for 2^nd place in the south after a 95-74 victory over visiting Mt. Hood.

How it happened: It was a one or two possession game for the first 10 or so minutes of the 1^st half, but the Titans made a run to stretch their lead to 10, 31-21, with 6:27 remaining. A 14-9 run to end the half gave the Titans a 14-point lead, 44-30.

The Titans held the Saints to 28.6 percent shooting and allowed only 1-6 from three. The Titans finished the half at 48.6 percent despite 5-17 mark from three, 29.4 percent. Rodney Hounshell snapped out of a recent offensive funk with 13 first half points; Tashon Brown had a quiet two points and five assists; Cody Mathis added eight points and seven rebounds.

Another back and fourth start ended the first 10 minutes of the half with a Lucas Wilson and-one conversion to extend their lead to 20 points, 72-52. Will Graves made a three to give the Titans their largest lead of the game, 76-54, and forced a Saints timeout with 8:59 remaining.

The Saints didn't go quietly, as they would cut the deficit to 10 with 4:44 remaining. In typical Titan fashion they woke up from a lull in their execution to finish on a 15-4 run.

The Titans only committed two turnovers and shot 54.5 percent from the floor. Cody Mathis had five points and five rebounds; Tashon Brown had 11 points and four assists; Rodney Hounshell and Lucas Wilson each had nine points.

What/who stood out: Six turnovers are the sixth time under 10 and a bounce back from a season-high 18 vs Portland…22 fouls is now 10 of 11 NWAC games with 20 or more…11 made threes is sixth time vs NWAC opponent with double-digit made…23 assists is second straight game with 20 or more after eight straight NWAC games under 20.

Tashon Brown had 13 points and 10 assists (second career double-double)…Rodeny Hounshell's 22 points is the first 20-point game vs NWAC opponent…Cody Mathis had 13 points and 12 rebounds (4^th career double-double)…Will Graves had nine points on 3-6 from three; Graves made 2-16 threes in four previous Southern Region games…Lucas Wilson had 14 points, including three huge dunks, and another impressive block.

What it means: The Titans are tied with Chemeketa and Linn-Benton for second place at 4-1. Umpqua leads the way at 5-0. The Titans are 15-2 overall.

What's next: The Titans visit Linn-Benton (10-6, 4-1) on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.