Storm’s Late Rally Falls Short in Gritty Road Battle at Linn-Benton

ALBANY, Ore. – The Chemeketa Storm men's basketball team proved they have no quit on Wednesday night, fighting back from a double-digit halftime deficit before ultimately falling to Linn-Benton Community College, 69-62.

Despite a difficult shooting night, the Storm (4-10, 0-2 NWAC) dominated the offensive glass and outscored the Roadrunners in the second half, showing the kind of resilience that will be vital as conference play intensifies.

Game Summary

A Tale of Two Halves

The Storm found themselves in an early hole at the LBCC Activities Center, struggling to find their rhythm in the opening 20 minutes. Chemeketa trailed 34-24 at the break, hampered by a cold start from the field.

However, the second half told a different story. The Storm came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, forcing 18 total turnovers on the night and winning the second-half scoring battle 38-35. Chemeketa managed to trim the lead and keep the pressure on until the final whistle, but the Roadrunners' advantage at the free-throw line proved to be the difference maker.

Standout Performers

The Storm were led by a powerful "inside-out" duo that kept the game within reach:

• Andrew Imhoff: Imhoff was the offensive engine for Chemeketa, leading the team with 18 points. He showed his range by knocking down two triples and remained aggressive throughout his 29 minutes of action.

• Spencer Horne: Horne put together a monster performance in the paint, recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Most impressively, 7 of those rebounds were on the offensive end, giving the Storm crucial second-chance opportunities. Pictured - 12

• Kaden Holm: Holm was a force on the glass all night, narrowly missing a double-double of his own with 8 points and 9 rebounds.

• Ahmad Koroma: While his scoring was held in check, Koroma was a defensive anchor, hauling in 8 rebounds and rejecting 2 shots.

Key Team Stats: The Battle on the Boards

While the Storm struggled with a 32.8% shooting mark, they stayed in the game through pure hustle.

• Offensive Glass: Chemeketa relentlessy attacked the rim, pulling down 20 offensive rebounds. This effort allowed them to take 12 more shots than Linn-Benton (67 to 55).

• Perimeter Defense: The Storm defense was locked in on the arc, holding the Roadrunners to a staggering 7.7% from three-point range (1-for-13).

• Depth: The Storm bench contributed 8 points, including a spark from Treyvan Wilkerson and Jaylin Scott.

Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio