Salem, Ore. – The Titans had a 10-point lead in the first half and were within single-digits with 3 minutes remaining but failed to score the rest of the way in a 78-63 road loss at Chemeketa.
First half: The Titans got off to a fast start with a quick 10-2 run to open the first 2:49 of the game. The Titans extended their lead to 10 points after a Dominic McGarvey layup at the 13:35 mark. The Titans double-digit lead lasted until the 11:04 mark. With a nine-point lead at the 6:02 mark, 26-17, Chemeketa went on a 11-0 run to the 3:24 mark to take the lead, 28-26. In the last 2:30, with game tied at 28, Chemeketa went on a 10-4 run and led by six, 38-32, at half.
Isaac Lange led all scorers with 11 points and added four rebounds, three assists and one steal. The Titans struggled from three-point line at 20 percent (2-10) and were outshot from the field, 47.1 versus 41.9 percent.
Second half: The Titans allowed the first five points of the half and found themselves down 11, 43-32, 57 seconds into the half. Ty Horner, Dominic McGarvey and Rodney Hounshell combined for a quick 7-0 response that brought the Titans within two-possessions, 43-39, at the 17:35 mark.
The Titans and Storm went back and forth with the Titans never getting any closer than four points. Isaac Lange made three with 9:52 left made it a five-point game, 55-50. With 4:38 remaining, Chemeketa pushed their lead to 10 after a quick 4-0 run.
Rodney Hounshell made a three with three minutes left to reduce the Titans deficit to three-possessions, 72-63, but that was last time the Titans would score and Chemeketa closed the game with six points to secure the win and eliminated the Titans from playoff contention.
Despite scoring one fewer point than the first half, the Titans managed to raise their field goal percentage from 41.9 percent to 48.1 percent, but what kept them from adding more points were only 27 field goal attempts, four fewer than Chemeketa, a 2-6 mark from the free throw line and only making 3-9 threes; the Titans shot 55.6 percent from inside the arch but shot 33.3 percent from three.
Rodney Hounshell led all scorers in the half with 10 points and added two rebounds; Isaac Lange had nine points and two rebounds; Dominic McGarvey had five points, six rebounds and two blocks; Ty Horner had seven points.
What stood out:
63 points: Fewest during conference play and second fewest this season (Dec. 6 versus South Puget Sound); only second time failing to reach the 70 point threshold … 78 points allowed: The Titans are 10-3 when allowing fewer than 80 points … 33 rebounds: 4-8 when recording fewer than 40 rebounds; 6-4 when recording 40 plus … 5 made threes: 1-5 versus NWAC opponents when making fewer than 10 threes … 16 fouls: 3-12 when committing 15 or more fouls; 4-0 with fewer than 15.
Who stood out:
Isaac Lange: 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block; fourth-straight 20-point game; sixth-straight game shooting 50 percent or better, 16th overall … Rodney Hounshell: 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal; double figures scoring in 21 of 22 games … Ty Horner: 13 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block; double figure scoring in 10 of 13 conference games … Dominic McGarvey: 11 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
What it means: The Titans are eliminated from playoff contention as they are now four games behind fourth place Chemeketa, who holds the final spot, with only three games remaining. If the Titans were to win out, they can finish as high as fifth if everything falls their way.
What's next: The Titans (12-12, 3-10) host fifth place Mt. Hood (12-14, 6-8) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.