Justin Martin's Season to Remember Continues

by Harry Cummins

     The NAIA's leading scorer is showing no signs of slowing down!

     Justin Martin exploded for 32 points in the second half Sunday night, 40 for the game, as Multnomah University rallied from a 13 point halftime deficit to upset 13th ranked Southern Oregon 96-83 and remain in the thick of the Cascade Collegiate Conference men's basketball race.

     Martin was fresh off a huge 42 point effort the previous night in a narrow 93-87 defeat at the hands of the OIT Owls. The back-to- back 40 point efforts this weekend marked the 5th time this season Martin has scored 40 or more points in a single game  Earlier this month, Martin shattered the CCC and NAIA D-2 record with a 71 point showcase game that featured a record 15 made 3's.

     The 32 point second half Sunday night, followed on the heels of a 29 point second half display the night before, as Martin has demonstrated an uncanny ability to shake off slow starts and turn a game around in the second stanza.  Four times this season Martin has scored an amazing 30 or more points in a single half  of basketball.

     For the second game in a row, Martin played the entire 40 minutes, handing out 7 assists each contest to compliment his prolific scoring.  Martin's first step quickness in slashing to the basket has also allowed him to connect on 18 of 19 FT's the past two nights.  Teammate Ben Grandle  chipped in with a double double in the pair of games this weekend ,with 14 pts/13 reb's vs OIT and 23 pts/14 reb's Sunday against Southern Oregon

     The Lions's season record now stands at 10-5,3-2 in CCC play, and they have knocked off two Top 20 NAIA D-2 teams already this season.  Martin now tops the NAIA scoring charts at 31.5 PPG, as the Lions travel to Eugene Jan 4 to meet Northwest Christian University.

     From aberration to astonishment, Justin Martin's season is now firmly one for the record books.