BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team got off to a scorching-hot start, scoring the first 13 points of the game, and never looked back in a dominating 86-62 victory over Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action in Carver Gym.
The Vikings improved to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play with the 24-point victory over the Yellowjackets (4-4, 2-2 GNAC). WWU also moved to within one victory of the 1,500 mark in program history (1,499-1,043/.590).
Sophomore forward Jalen Green powered the Vikings furious start and contributed a game-high 23 points. Green equaled his single-game career-high on 9-for-11 shooting connecting on 3-for-4 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. He also had 4 assists and a pair of blocked shots.
Junior forward Luke Lovelady came off the bench to contribute a season-high 17 points on 8-for-9 shooting. Senior center Logan Schilder neared a double-double with 10 points (5-for-7 FG), 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocked shots.
Redshirt freshman point guard D'Angelo Minnis contributed 15 points, 4 steals and 2 assists in 33 minutes of action.
The Vikings shot a season-high 56.7% from the field (34-for-60) and were 9-for-22 (.40.9%) from beyond the arc.
"This was our best game of the year, a complete game on both ends of the court," said WWU head coach Tony Dominguez. "Their focus was great, the defense to open the game was exactly what we were looking for and they followed the game plan on offense. We've battled some adversity this season, but today we felt like it all came together and we look to build off this great team performance."
The Yellowjackets were led by 19 points from forward Brendan Howard, who made 8-of-17 shots from the field, and recorded a double-double with a game-high 13 rebounds. MSUB was held to 36.8% shooting (21-for-57), including 26.7% (8-for-30) in the first half.
WWU opened the game scoring the first 13 points and built 25-6 lead on 11-for-15 in the first eight minutes of the game. The Vikings gained their biggest lead of the half at 29 points 48-19 with a Cameron Retherford block and fast break layup by Jalen Green.
The Vikings played a dominating first half of basketball, building a 27-point 52-25 lead over the Yellowjackets. WWU shot 63.9% from the field (23-for-36) and were 6-for-15 from 3-point range. Jalen Green led the Vikings with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and added a pair of blocks and assists.D'Angelo Minnis added 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting and was 3-for-6 from long range, and providing stifling defense with 4 steals.
WWU (5-4) closes out the decade next Sunday with a non-conference game vs. Capilano (Dec. 15). Tip-off vs. the Blues is set for 3:00 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. The game can be followed via live webcast at GNAC.tv.
Fans can follow the men's basketball team online at WWUVikings.com/MBB, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUHoops) and Facebook (@WWUmensbball). You can also get game updates by following the @WWUAthletics Twitter.
One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, WWU has recorded a 20-win season in eight of the last 11 seasons. WWU is a six-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion and has appeared in the NCAA II Elite 8 three times. The Vikings won the 2011-12 NCAA Division II National Championship and advanced the following season to the NCAA II Final Four. Western has 20-win seasons in two of the last three years, including a 25-6 record in 2016-17 where it won the GNAC regular season and conference championships title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships as the No. 3 seed in the West Region. WWU is the 12th winningest Division II program with its 1,499 victories (one short of 1,500).
