Nov. 17, 2008

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Guard Ira Graham (Sr., Fontana, CA) scored a game-high 20 points to lead six Vikings in double-figure scoring as Western Washington University opened its season with a 109-69 victory over Cascade College in men's basketball action Monday on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

Guard Morris Anderson (Jr., Federal Way) was just short of a triple-double for NCAA Division II Western with 12 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals. Center David Brittinen (Sr., Hoquiam) added 16 points off the bench, hitting all seven of his shots from the field.

Cascade, a NAIA school, fell to 4-1. Forward Jared Mace and guard Ben Pawlak each had 14 points for the Thunderbirds.

Cascade held a 9-5 lead a little over three minutes into the game, but Western ran off the next 10 points to go in front 15-9 and led the rest of the way. The Vikings closed the first half with a 12-3 run and led 59-33 at halftime.

Western's biggest lead was 49 points, 107-58, with 4:34 to play.

The Vikings shot 54.9 percent (45-of-82) from the field, and had a 53-30 advantage in rebounds. Forward Michael Duty (Jr., Seattle/O'Dea) had 14 points, and forward Steve Alford (Sr., Bakersfield, CA/South) added 13, and forward Calin Schell (Sr., Chelan) contributed 12.

Western next competes in the Seattle Pacific University Tip-Off Classic, meeting Cal State San Bernardino on Friday (5 p.m.) and Mary on Saturday (5 p.m.)