Dec. 12, 2016 Box Score | Game Book
LA JOLLA, Calif. - Western Washington University senior guard Taylor Stafford recorded the second-most points in a game in program history with his 44-point performance, leading the No. 13 Vikings to a dominating 104-81 win over No. 19 UC San Diego Monday evening in a non-conference game at the RIMAC Arena.
The Vikings continued their undefeated season improving to 8-0 overall with the win over the nationally-ranked Tritons. UCSD falls to 7-2 on the season with its first home loss. WWU is one of 15 undefeated teams at the Division II level.
WWU eclipsed 100 points for the third time this season while shooting 59.7% (37-for-62) from the field and were 15-for-26 (57.7%) from 3-point range.
"I thought the team did a phenomenal job tonight and were dialed in from the moment we got on the plane to come down here," said head coach Tony Dominguez. "We had a great shoot around, as efficient as I've seen in a long time, and came out and executed our game plan. It was a fun game to watch seeing how they followed the plan, took what was given to them and got a big win. The team chemistry is really showing as we get deeper into the season."
Stafford (Chicago, IL/Evansville) took control of the game early hitting 6 of his first 7 shots to help the Vikings jump out to a 40-24 lead. He ended the first half with a WWU record-tying 29 points (for most points in a half) and added 15 points in the second half to record a career-high 44 points. He finished 15-for-21 from the field and was 7-for-9 from 3-point range. He fell 3 points shy of the school-record 47 points by Ryan Diggs on March 10, 2006 vs. Humboldt State in the NCAA II West Regional in Seattle.
"He took good shots all night and was in that zone," added Dominguez. "He had a great individual performance, but all he wants is for the team to do well. That's his main goal out there. He played in control tonight, took the shots that were available to him, and showed how he can impact a game."
Senior forward Jeffrey Parker (Richmond, CA/Salesian) added 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field (5-for-7 3-pointers) and sophomore guard Trey Drechsel (Woodinville, WA/Cedar Park Christian) scored 15 points (6-for-11 FG) with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals while playing all 40 minutes.
UCSD sophomore center Chris Hansen recorded a double-double with 22 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Vikings took a 17-point lead into halftime at 63-46, connecting on 20-of-33 (60.6%) shots from the field and 12-of-18 (66.7%) from 3-point range. Stafford tied the WWU scoring record for a half with 29 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the field (6-for-7 3-point range) and was 7-for-7 from the free throw line. He beat the halftime buzzer with his sixth 3-pointer of the half to give the Vikings the 17-point cushion. Parker added 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting (4-for-6 3-pointers). WWU opened the game hitting 9 of its first 10 3-point attempts.
WWU also controlled the second half out-scoring the Tritons 41-35. Stafford scored 15 of his 44 points in the second half, while Parker (9 points), Drechsel (7 points) and redshirt freshman Trevor Jasinsky (7 points) helped close out the 23-point victory.
The Vikings return to action this weekend playing a pair of nationally-ranked opponents in the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. WWU faces No. 22 West Texas A&M on Sunday (1:15 pm) and No. 15 Tarleton State on Monday (8 pm).
40-Point Games: Taylor Stafford recorded the 8th 40-point game in WWU men's basketball history...also the 7th player in program history to record a 40-point game...44 points is 3 shy of the school record 47 set by Ryan Diggs in the 2006 NCAA II West Regional...WWU's 40-point games are listed below:
TOP SCORING PERFORMANCES IN WWU HISTORY |
47 | Ryan Diggs vs. Humboldt State, Mar. 10, 2006 (Seattle) |
44 | Taylor Stafford at UC San Diego, Dec. 12, 2016 |
43 | John Allen vs. Simon Fraser, Jan. 2, 2011 |
42 | Mike Franza at Victoria, Dec. 27, 1972 |
| Ryan Diggs at Seattle, Jan. 12, 2006 |
40 | Ron Crowe at Whitworth, Feb. 6, 1960 |
| Grant Dykstra at Humboldt State, Jan. 28, 2006 |
| Derrick Webb vs. Western Oregon, Jan. 10, 2010 |
Game Notes: The Vikings improved to 8-0 on the season, matching the 8-0 start from 2013-14...WWU's 23-point victory bettered the 18.3 margin of victory entering the game (was 12th in NCAA II)...Jeffrey Parker now has 1,526 career points remaining 7th in WWU history (6th place is Harold Doyal with 1,571 points)...Parker moved into 3rd place in WWU history with 236 career 3-pointers, moving past Jeff Dick (234, 1990-94)...the 44 points scored by Stafford are 4th-most by an NCAA Division II player this season...the 104 points were the most given up by UCSD since Jan. 12, 2008 (111 by Cal State LA).
