BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team used a big second half performance to record an 83-72 preseason exhibition victory over Lincoln University of California Wednesday night on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
 
WWU defeated the Oaklanders, who were playing their first game in program history. Lincoln is led by nine-time NBA All-Star and Seattle SuperSonic legend Gary Payton, who was making his collegiate coaching debut.
 
The Vikings used a 16-4 run early in the second half to turn a two-point deficit at 45-43 into a 10-point 59-49 lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers by guards D'Angelo Minnis and Daniel Hornbuckle with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest gave the Vikings a comfortable 13-point lead (66-53).
 
Minnis finished with a team-high-tying 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting, connecting on five 3-pointers, and also recording a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard/forward Jalen Green added 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting and senior forward Luke Lovelady was efficient going 6-for-9 from the field in his 14-point performance.
 
Hornbuckle scored all 10 of his points in the second half, going 3-for-7 from 3-point range, and recorded a game-high five assists.
 
WWU shot 43.3% for the game (29-for-67) and was 13-for-37 from beyond the arc (35.1%).
 
Lincoln was led by a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds from Lewis Hays (9-for-12 FG). Kaden Bradley contributed 21 points on 8-for-22 shooting and Isaiah Attles added 15 points and six rebounds. Lincoln shot 40.0% for the game (26-for-65) and were held to 4-for-20 shooting from 3-point range.
 
WWU officially open the 2021-22 season with a trip to Southern California November 12-13 for two games in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge facing Humboldt State and tournament host Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. The home schedule opens with the Chuck Randall Classic November 19-20 with the Vikings hosting Azusa Pacific, Concordia University Irvine and Seattle Pacific University.
 
The complete 2021-22 WWU Men's Basketball Schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/21-22_MBB, complete with links to purchase tickets and live coverage links for webcast and live stats.

Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2021-22 season can call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6103 to reserve their seats for the upcoming season.
 

M🏀 | A great team win for @WWUHoops over Lincoln in a preseason exhibition game, and what a fun night in Carver Gym hosting NBA legend @GaryPayton in his collegiate coaching debut. 

📸 : @christiano_s17 pic.twitter.com/FpEWGDBUc7
— WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) October 28, 2021