The Titans got off to a slow start but continue their hot shooting in a dominate win over Mt. Hood, 101-74.

How it Happened: The Titans opened with a pair of threes but those were their only points in the first four plus minutes. The Titan offense continued to struggle as they managed only 12 points after seven minutes and were down by eight, 20-12. A Cody Mathis jumper with 8:34 remaining gave the Titans the lead back for good, 25-24. The Titans went on a 25-3 run from the 11:50 mark to the 4:17 mark. After a couple of Mt. Hood threes, the Titans finished the half on a 12-5 run and led, 56-37.

The Titans shot 51.3 percent, made 8-20 threes, 8-11 free throws and held Mt. Hood to 38.2 shooting and 30.8 from three. Tarik Cool went off for 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal; Cody Mathis had 14 points, four rebounds and a block; Lezjon Bonds had 10 points off the bench after not playing vs Linn-Benton.

The Titans conceded eight of the first 11 points in the 2^nd half. A 20-7 Titan run to the 13:18 mark extended their lead to the largest of the game at 30, 79-49. The Titans used their lead to get the bench more run and came away with a 101-74 victory.

The Titans bench played 51 of the 100 minutes and the shooting totals dipped to 41.2 percent, 31.6 percent from three, but they did convert 11-14 free throws. The Titans allowed 45.2 percent shooting, but only 1-9 from three. Will Graves had 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals off the bench; Cody Mathis had nine points, two rebounds and two blocks; Tarik Cool had eight points and 24 of the 45 points came from the bench.

What/who stood out: 101 points is the second straight 100-points game and the 12^th of the season…14 made threes is the seconds straight double-digit game and 15^th overall…19 made free throws is the most in seven games…16 offensive rebounds is second most this season and most vs an NWAC opponent; 18 vs Willamette J.V. is the most…22 assists is the seventh NWAC game with 20 plus and second straight after only one in previous five…nine turnovers is the fourth straight game in single digits and sixth in the last seven…15 fouls is the seventh time in eight games under 20.

Tarik Cool had 25 points (third straight 20-point game and 19^th of the season), four rebounds, four assists and a steal…Cody Mathis had 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks…Lezjon Bonds had 16 points (fifth straight double-digit game and 13^th overall), four rebounds, four assists and two steals…Will Graves had 15 points (second straight double-digit game after one in his previous 18 games), two rebounds, two assists and two steals…Lucas Wilson had eight points, a career-high 14 rebounds, three block, two steals and two assists.

What it means: The Titans keep pace with Umpqua for 1^st place at 12-2 and are now 23-3 overall. The Titans are guaranteed a top three finish and a win vs Umpqua secures them a top two finish.

What's next: The Titans host fellow 1^st place and No. 4 Umpqua (19-8, 12-2) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.