BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A last-second three-pointer attempt by Daniel Hornbuckle that would have won the game fell just short as the Western Washington University men's basketball game dropped a 72-70 Great Northwest Athletic Conference game vs. Western Oregon University Saturday on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

The Vikings dropped to 11-10 overall and 4-7 in GNAC play with their seventh loss in the last nine games. Western Oregon extended its winning streak to four consecutive games improving to 9-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play.

The Vikings and Wolves were deadlocked in a 39-39 game at the half, but Western Oregon used a 16-4 scoring run to break away from a 54-54 tie to build a 12-point lead with 4:43 remaining.

WWU charged back going on a 9-0 run, with seven points scored by Hornbuckle, to pull to within three points at 70-67. Isaac Morrow hit a three-pointer with 15-seconds remaining to pull the Vikings with within two points at 72-70, and WOU missed a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining.

Hornbuckle streaked down the sideline and got an open look at a long three-pointer attempt, that just miss hitting the front of the iron to give WOU the two-point victory.

Hornbuckle and Jonathan Ned tied for the team high with 15 points each, while BJ Kolly neared another double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Matthew Mayes and Morrow provided a spark off the bench with seven points each.

The game featured 12 ties and seven lead changes.

WOU was led by a season-high 20 points from Jahville Collins and 12 points each by John Morrill-Keeler and Daisone Hughes. Cameron Benzel neared a double-double with eight points and 14 rebounds. GNAC Preseason Player of the Year Cameron Cranston returned to the court after missing seven games with an injury scoring eight points.

Saturday's game welcomed back members of the 2012 WWU National Championship Team as a 10-year anniversary celebration. Several members from the team that won the NCAA Division II title were in attendance for a special pregame celebration and halftime recognition.
 

The Vikings (11-10, 4-7 GNAC) take back to the road to face Seattle Pacific on Thursday (7 pm) and Montana State Billings on Saturday (7:30 pm MT/6:30 pm PT). The complete 2022-23 WWU men's basketball schedule – complete with links on how to purchase tickets for home games and links to follow the team on the road – can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/22-23_MBB.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Western Oregon:

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

The Vikings and Wolves split the season series, with each team winning on the road. WWU defeated WOU 95-93 in overtime on December 29 in Monmouth. The Vikings are 49-25 all-time vs. Western Oregon.

Here is an updated look at the GNAC standings, complete with Saturday's results from around the conference:

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2022-23 season following the two-point loss to Western Oregon:

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 1,539 all-time victories. Head coach Tony Dominguez is in 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 .660 winning percentage (193-100).