The Titans started two new players, Lezjon Bonds and Lucas Wilson, and got a career-high in points from Bonds in a 95-79 victory at Walla Walla.
How it happened: New starter Lucas Wilson started the game the way he finished the South Puget Sound game; a missed layup, offensive rebounds, foul drawn and two made free throws.
The Titans scored the first four points of the game, but the Warriors had an answer; tying the game at 10 at the 15:54 mark. The Titans responded with an 8-0 run courtesy of six Tarik Cool points.
The Titans would lead by as many as 15 in the last two minutes of the 1st half and took a 48-36 lead to the half.
The Titans shot 47.2 percent and only made two threes, but 12-13 shooting from the line and a plus eight advantage from the stripe helped to give the Titans the edge.
Eight Titans scored, and Lezjon Bonds 14 points led the way; Tarik Cool had 10 points.
The Titans allowed six Warriors threes, but it took them 16 attempts to get there and overall, they only shot 35.1 percent. More than a quarter of their points came from Damen Thacker, who had 10.
The Titans lead hovered between eight and 13 point for most of the half, but after a pair of Tarik Cool free throws the Titans had their largest lead at 18 with 11:02 to go. The Warriors immediately went on a mini 11-5 run to cut the deficit to 13 with 7:51 remaining. Tarik Cool was having none of it as he hit a three 10 seconds later and the Titans would maintain their double-digit lead the remainder of the game.
The Titans shot a crazy 59.3 percent from the floor. Tarik Cool and Lezjon Bonds swopped scoring totals, Cool getting 14 and Bonds with 10.
The Titans defense didn't let up despite giving up 43 points, allowing only 36.4 percent shooting and 21.4 percent from three. The biggest difference in half's were free throw attempts, the Warriors got to the line 17 times in the 2nd and was the main reason the game didn't become a blowout.
What/who stood out: The league leaders in team assists only had six on 33 made field goals, but the Titans made up for it by getting to the rim and line constantly; which led to a season-low 13 three-point attempts. Their previous low was 27. This was also the Titans first 40-rebound game in the last four contests. Their 11 turnovers and 21 fouls were the lowest against NWAC opponents.
Lezjon Bonds made his first start of the season and poured in a career-high 24 points. Those 24 points were especially impressive because his previous two games he had a total of 13 points. Not to be out done, Tarik Cool matched Lezjon Bonds with 24 points. Fellow new starter, Lucas Wilson, had 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist.
What it means: The no. 3 Titans bounced back from their first loss and did it in their first true road game against an NWAC opponent, after being ranked the highest in recent program history; the previous best was 4th on Jan. 30, 2013. The Titans move to 8-1 and make the two Titan basketball teams a combined 16-2.
What's next: The Titans play the Everett Trojans (6-5) at 4 p.m. tomorrow. The Trojans beat Tacoma 93-89 in the other game at the crossover. For more on the Trojans, read the preview attached to this game (Walla Walla).