Corban's late 12-point run stuns Mounties 66-60 at Quinn Coliseum

Corban University erased a deficit and closed the game on a decisive 12-point run to beat Eastern Oregon University 66-60 at Quinn Coliseum on January 16. The win was paced by Corban's balanced attack and timely defensive stops in the fourth quarter, while Eastern Oregon struggled to convert key possessions down the stretch.

Corban guard TJ Zimmerman led all scorers with 18 points as the Warriors mounted the comeback. For the Mounties, Keilan Torkornoo finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, coming up just short of a double-double. The loss dropped Eastern Oregon to 12-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Mounties returned to action the next day at home against Bushnell.

The outcome reshuffles an already-tight conference race and underlines the thin margins in late-game execution. Eastern Oregon had opportunities to hold serve at Quinn Coliseum, a familiar home floor for Union County fans, but struggled with consistency in the fourth quarter when Corban turned defense into offense. Corban’s late run and defensive resistance shifted momentum and handed the Mounties a rare home defeat.

Beyond standings, the game highlights how college basketball nights function as community gatherings in La Grande. Home matchups bring students, families and local residents together, and results reverberate through campus morale and small-business activity on game nights. For Mountie supporters, the loss is an immediate disappointment but also a test of resilience as the team pursues remaining conference objectives.

The tight scheduling that had EOU back on court the following day raises broader questions about student-athlete recovery and health. Short turnarounds can increase physical and mental strain on players, particularly at smaller institutions where staffing and medical resources may be more limited. Community stakeholders and athletic departments in Union County increasingly face decisions about how to balance competitive schedules with adequate concussion protocols, recovery time and access to mental-health services for athletes.

Looking ahead, the Mounties must regroup quickly to protect their standing in the conference. For local residents, the next home games will be opportunities to support student-athletes and to see how coaches address late-game execution and player recovery. The result at Quinn Coliseum is a reminder that local college sports carry both civic pride and real questions about health, equity and the support systems that sustain young athletes.