Nov. 12, 2011

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Forward Rory Blanche (Sr., Ashland, OR) scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds as Western Washington University broke open a tight game early in the second half and defeated Capilano University, 104-78, in a non-conference men's basketball game Saturday at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.

Six players scored in double figures for the Vikings, who improved to 4-1 overall with their second home win in as many nights.

Forward Omid Davani paced Capilano, located in North Vancouver, B.C., with 22 points and nine rebounds. The Blues are now 1-1.

The Vikings led by just five, 49-44, in the opening minute of the second half, but broke the contest open with 13 straight points to take a 62-44 advantage with 16:24 to play. The lead didn't get past 20 until the last six minutes.

WWU shot 57.9 percent (44-of-76) from the field, with Blanche going 12-of-17. Guard Richard Woodworth (So., Bellevue/Newport) had 16 points for the Vikings, and forward Zach Henifin (Sr., Bellingham) had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Center Dan Young (Sr., Federal Way) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Guard James Lum had 14 points and a game-high nine assists for Capilano, scoring 12 points in the first half.

WWU never trailed, but the Blues stayed within shouting distance throughout a fast-paced first half that saw the Vikings take a 49-42 halftime lead. Henifin had 13 points in the opening half for WWU, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the floor.

Also scoring double-figures for the Vikings were guard John Allen (Jr., Brier/Mountlake Terrace) with 11 and center Chris Mitchell (Jr., Everson/Nooksack Valley) with 10.

WWU next hosts Dominican University of California on Saturday (7 p.m.), Nov. 19, at Carver Gym.