Box Score Nov. 24, 2017 Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Western Washington University senior forward Deandre Dickson scored a game-high 23 points, but it wasn't enough as the Vikings were edged 81-73 by visiting UC San Diego Friday night on WECU Court in Carver Gym in the 2017 Chuck Randall Classic. The Vikings fall to 2-2 on the season with the loss, while UCSD improves to 2-3.
The tightly-contested game featured 10 tie scores and five lead changes throughout the contest, but UCSD used a strong finish to power past the Vikings down the stretch. WWU twice pulled to within two points in the last minute and a half of the game, but the Tritons hit a key 3-pointer by Michael Shoemaker with 42-seconds remaining to make it a two possession game, and finished scoring the last six points of the game.
"UCSD is a good team, they moved the ball well and were on fire shooting. I felt like, for the most part, we were right there with them, but they hit some strategic shots," said sixth-year head coach Tony Dominguez. "The season is a journey, and we are still learning a lot about ourselves right now. It is early in the season, and it is a long road, and I think we can turn things around and have a really good season. We have to start with one game at a time, and that begins tomorrow." Dickson (Easton, CA/Bakersfield College) scored a season-high 23 points on 6-for-15 shooting, adding a game-high 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. The senior was 11-for-11 from the free throw line, to lead the Vikings who were overall 23-for-25 from the charity stripe.
Sophomore forward Daulton Hommes (Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian) added 16 points on 3-for-11 shooting, while point guard Trey Drechsel (Woodinville, WA/Cedar Park Christian) and sophomore guard Trevor Jasinsky (Camas, WA) each scored 9 points. UCSD was led by 22 points from junior guard Christian Oshita (8-for-11 FG) and 19 points from junior guard Christian Bayne. Overall the Tritons shot 54.2% from the floor (26-for-48) and were 10-for-19 from 3-point range (52.6%).
The Vikings trailed by three points at the half, 41-38, in a physical first 20 minutes that featured 24 fouls (12 apiece) and 10 tie scores. Dickson led the Vikings with 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Drechsel added 9 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Oshita led all players with 18 points for the Tritons, going 6-for-6 form the field, including a trio of 3-pointers.
WWU led 5-2 early, but UCSD pulled ahead to lead by as many as five points, last at 37-32. The Vikings responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a Hommes 3-pointer and a Drechsel breakaway dunk. With the score tied 38-38, UCSD guard Anthony Ballestero hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds remaining to put the Tritons up by three points heading into the break. The Tritons shot 60.9% (14-for-23) and were 5-for-8 from 3-point range in the first half, compared to 48.0% (12-for-25) for the Vikings.
After trailing by as many as eight points early in the second half, the Vikings put together a 13-5 run to take a one-point lead at 56-55 with 9:33 remaining in the game, with a Hommes 3-pointer putting WWU in the lead. Ballestero hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put UCSD back ahead with a five-point lead, an advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
The Vikings (2-2) close out play in the Chuck Randall Classic on Saturday facing Capilano in the 5 pm game in Carver Gym. UCSD will play Alaska at 2:30 pm. Free admission to all games in the Randall and Lynda Goodrich Classics is being offered with a non-perishable food donation at the door.
All home games at Carver Gym will be streamed live online via WWUVikings.com/Live with Doug Lange calling the action courtside on Vikings TV.
Game Notes: The Vikings beat UCSD last season in La Jolla 104-81, led by Taylor Stafford's 44-point performance...this was a battle of last season's No. 1 (UCSD) and No. 3 (WWU) seeds in the NCAA II West Regional hosted by UC San Diego...through the first four games of the season the Vikings are led by Daulton Hommes (18.5 points/game) and Deandre Dickson (18.0 points/game).
Alaska Fairbanks 108, Capilano 60 [Box Score]:
The Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks opened the Chuck Randall Classic with a 48-point victory over Capilano, 108-60, on Saturday afternoon.
UAF had six players reach double figures in scoring, led by 23 points from junior forward Joe Lendway, who was 10-for-11 from the field. Lendway also contributed a team-high 8 rebounds.
Junior guard Alex Baham was 5-for-8 from the field, going 4-for-6 from 3-point range for 14 points.
Overall the Nanooks shot 61.9% from the field (39-for-63), including 18-for-32 accuracy from 3-point range.
Capilano was led by a game-high 24 points from forward Denver Sparks-Guest.
