Western Washington University Athletics

BURNABY, B.C. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team opened the 2022-23 season with a fast-paced 104-95 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt Friday evening at the GNAC/CCAA Challenge.

The Vikings cracked the century mark in the first game of the season for the first time since scoring 100 points in 2012 vs. Multnomah and tallied the most point in a lid lifter since 115 vs. Willamette in 2010. WWU is now 13-1 in its last 14 season-opening games.

WWU built a 11-point first-half lead and went into the halftime break with a 56-49 advantage. The Vikings quickly built their lead to at many as 15 points at the 14:13 mark in the second half, but saw that lead dwindle to as little as four points at 90-86 with 5:39 remaining. A clutch 3-pointer by Daniel Hornbuckle sparked a 10-2 run to pull away late in the nine-point victory over the Lumberjacks.

The Vikings avenged a one-point loss to Cal Poly Humboldt in last year's season opener, a 70-69 loss in Carson, California. WWU is now 13-11 all-time against the Lumberjacks.

WWU's fast-paced offense was fueled by six players scoring in double figures, led by 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting by senior guard Daniel Hornbuckle. The team-high 22 points from Hornbuckle included 6-for-9 shooting from beyond the three-point line, while also contributing five rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

Redshirt freshman forward BJ Kolly scored 21 points in his official collegiate debut, shooting 10-for-14 from the field and adding eight rebounds.

Also reaching double-digits in scoring was Lucas Holden (16 points), Jonathan Ned (12 points), Kai Johnson (10 points) and D'Angelo Minnis (10 points). Sophomore Nic Welp added nine points, four rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes of action.

The Vikings combined to shoot 53.6% from the field (37-for-69) and were 11-for-26 from three-point range (42.3%). WWU out-rebounded Cal Poly Humboldt 37-32 while holding a 11-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. 

The Lumberjacks were led by a game-high 25 points by Marlon Ruffin (9-for-19 FG) and 21 points by Jaden Edwards (7-for-14 FG). Humboldt shot 47.3% (35-for-74) from the field and were nearly perfect from the free throw line going 17-for-18.

WWU (1-0) returns to action Saturday night facing Cal State Dominguez Hills at 5:15 pm to conclude its two-game trip over the border at the GNAC/CCAA Challenge.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Cal Poly Humboldt from Friday's season opener:

WWU improved to 20-4 in season openers since joining the NCAA Division II level in 1998-99. The Vikings have now won 13 of their last 14 season-opening games.

Redshirt freshman forward BJ Kolly scored 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting in his official collegiate debut. Became the first WWU freshman to score 20-or-more points in a debut since D'Angelo Minnis scored 22 points vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills on November 8, 2019. The previous Viking freshman to score 20+ in a debut was Daulton Hommes with 29 points vs. Sonoma State on November 11, 2016. 

The Vikings close out the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season taking on Cal State Dominguez Hills at the GNAC/CCAA Challenge in Burnaby, BC. WWU continues on the road next week at the PacWest/GNAC Challenge with games against Concordia and host Azusa Pacific. The complete 2022-23 WWU men's basketball schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/22-23_MBB.

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2022-23 season:

WWU improved to 13-11 all-time vs. Cal Poly Humboldt, avenging last year's 70-69 season-opening loss in Carson, California. The Vikings have won five of the last seven in the series vs. the Lumberjacks. A former conference rival, WWU and Humboldt State played every season from 1998-99 through 2005-06.

Here is a look at scores from around the GNAC during the first day of the 2022-23 season:

• Montana State Billings 70, Holy Names 65 (Lacey, WA)
• Saint Martin's 84, #13 Cal State San Marcos 72 (Lacey, WA)
• Cal State Monterey Bay 77, Central Washington 57 (Monmouth, OR)
• Seattle Pacific 84, Chico State 79 (Azusa, CA)
• Western Washington 104, Cal Poly Humboldt 95 (Burnaby, BC)
• Chaminade 82, Alaska Anchorage 77 (Honolulu, HI)
• Cal State San Bernardino 76, Western Oregon 64 (Monmouth, OR)
• Cal State Dominguez Hills 66, Simon Fraser 63
• Alaska Fairbanks at Hawai'i Pacific (late game)

Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2022-23 season can call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6103 to reserve their seats for the upcoming season.

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 2012 NCAA Division II National Championship and advanced the following season to the NCAA II Final Four. Western has 20-win seasons in three of the last four years (and seven of nine) and won the 2020 GNAC Championships Tournament. WWU is the 12th winningest Division II program with its 1,528 all-time victories. Head coach Tony Dominguez enters his 10th season and 11th year as the Vikings head coach (28th overall at WWU) and is listed in the top 20 amongst active NCAA Division II head coaches with a .670 winning percentage (183-90).