PORTLAND, Ore. -- Led by 22 points from Zach Jefferson (Jr., G) and a double-double from Solomon Campbell (Jr., F), the Geoducks of The Evergreen State College defeated Warner Pacific University 83-79 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Saturday, Feb. 8. Jefferson was 7 of 14 on field goals and hit two 3-point baskets.

Jefferson also contributed seven rebounds and hit 6 of 9 free throws, including 5 of 6 in the final 2:30 of the game. Campbell scored 11 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked two shots. Bradley Graham (Jr., G) amassed 16 points and provided six assists for the Geoducks. Nathan Behr (Jr., F/W) added 13 points to go with four rebounds, while Nick Gutierrez (Sr., G) supplied eight points, five boards, and three steals.

Jurrien Sparks topped Warner Pacific with 23 points and hit a trio of 3-point shots. He also grabbed six rebounds. Collin Oestereich scored 12 points and hauled down seven rebounds. Terrin Dickey earned 10 points and led the Knights with 11 rebounds. Dickey registered two blocks, two steals, and three assists.

Evergreen moved to 2-19 overall, 2-16 in the CCC. Warner Pacific dropped to 11-12 overall, 6-12 in the CCC.

The eighth lead change early in the game resulted in an 18-17 advantage to WPU following a traditional three-point play by Cade Baker. A bit later, the Knights held a 26-19 lead on a dunk by Oestereich with 11:18 left in the half. Warner Pacific eventually increased the lead to 43-31 at the 3:56 mark on a layup from Oestereich.

Evergreen closed the half with a 14-1 run that ended with nine consecutive points for the Geoducks. The run included five points each from Gutierrez and Graham. The Geoducks led 45-44 at halftime.

The teams battled in the opening minutes of the second half and the score was tied at 57-57 after Isiah Salim hit a 3-pointer for WPU with 11:37 remaining. Graham sank a 3-pointer to move Evergreen in front. He also hit 1 of 2 free throws at the 10:52 mark to give TESC a 61-57 advantage.

Warner Pacific went on a 7-0 run to grab a 64-61 lead on a layup by Oestereich with 8:58 to play. Behr tied the score with a 3-pointer 14 seconds later and the team also were tied at 66-66 with 7:28 on the clock. The Geoducks moved into the lead for good, 68-66, when Jemoi Davis (Jr., W) earned a layup with 5:12 left.

Evergreen expanded the margin to 77-66 on two free throws by Jefferson with 2:30 remaining. The Geoducks held an 80-70 edge before Sparks produced a four-point play for Warner Pacific with a 3-pointer and a foul shot with 51 seconds to go. Jefferson hit 1 of 2 free throws with 42 seconds left for an 81-74 lead.

Sparks made another 3-pointer for the Knights with 32 seconds left, but Jefferson was 2 for 2 at the line three seconds later, as Evergreen increased the lead to 83-77. Nzube Mekkam scored the final basket for WPU with one second left.

Each team made 30 field goals, as Evergreen shot 44.1% (68 attempts) and Warner Pacific shot 42.9% (70 attempts). The Geoducks were 9 of 27 on 3-pointers (33.3%) and held a 43-41 rebounding edge. The Knights connected on 6 of 20 three-point shots (30.0%).

The Geoducks will take on Bushnell University on Friday, Feb. 14 in Olympia, Washington. Game time at the Costantino Recreation Center is slated for 7:30 p.m. PST.