Jan. 31, 2008

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Guard Derrick Webb (Jr., Port Orchard/South Kitsap) had 19 points and center Steve Severin (So., Richland/Hanford) had 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, helping Western Washington University defeat Montana State University Billings, 116-66, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball game Thursday on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, who shot 62.3 percent (48-of-77) from the field, improved to 11-6 overall and 4-4 in the GNAC with their seventh win in eight home contests.

MSUB, which started four freshmen and a sophomore, fell to 1-18 overall and 1-7 in conference play. Guard John Brooks had a game-high 23 points for the Yellowjackets.

The Vikings took control of the contest quickly, using a 25-5 run to take a 33-13 lead with 7:19 left in the first half. Western, which shot 62.5 percent (25-of-40) from the field in the opening period, held a 58-27 lead at halftime.

Webb had 16 points in the opening half, going 6-of-7 from the field, including 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. Severin had 12 points and eight rebounds in the first half.

Western guard Ira Graham (Jr., Fontana, CA), the GNAC's leading scorer at 20.2 points a game, finished with 15 points in just 20 minutes. Forward Steve Alford (Jr., Bakersfield, CA/South) had 14 points, and center David Brittinen (Jr., Hoquiam) came off the bench to contribute 12 points and eight rebounds while going 6-of-7 from the field.

The Vikings had a 50-28 advantage in rebounds and held MSUB to 32.3 percent shooting (21-of-65) from the field.

Western entertains Seattle University on Saturday (7 p.m.) at Carver Gym.