Feb. 7, 2008

Box Score

MONMOUTH, Ore. - A surge late in the first half proved decisive as Western Oregon University defeated Western Washington University, 83-71, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball game Thursday at the New P.E. Building.

The Vikings, who had a two-game winning streak snapped, fell to 12-7 overall and 5-5 in the GNAC. Western, which is 4-6 away from home, was led by the 21 points of guard Ira Graham (Jr., Fontana, CA).

Western Oregon improved to 11-8 overall and 4-6 in the conference. The Wolves, who are 8-2 at home, got a game-high 22 points from forward Travis Kuhns, and reserve center Adonal Arrington had 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Vikings never led, but trailed by just two, 33-31, after a layin and free throw by Graham with 4:22 left in the first half. But the Wolves responded with 10 straight points to take a 43-31 lead with 1:20 left in the period and held a 45-33 lead at halftime.

Arrington scored 14 points in the first half on 6-of-6 field-goal shooting.

Western Washington never got the margin into single digits in the second half, although it was never down by more than 16 points.

Guard Derrick Webb (Jr., Port Orchard/South Kitsap) came off the bench to score 13 points for Western Washington, which shot just 41.3 percent (26-of-63) and was outrebounded 44-33.

Mike McLaughlin had 16 points for Western Oregon.

The Vikings are at Saint Martin's on Saturday (7 p.m.) for a GNAC counter.