BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team finished the season on a high note Saturday, defeating Simon Fraser University 90-79 on Senior Night on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
The Vikings finish the 2022-23 season 15-13 overall and went 8-10 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, falling just one game short of a spot in the postseason conference tournament. WWU's season was filled with close games, with 13 contests decided by five-or-fewer points and setting a program record with five overtime games.
Saturday's 11-point victory over SFU was highlighted by WWU's three seniors taking center stage with a pregame celebration and scoring 51 combined points in the game. Lucas Holden (18 points), D'Angelo Minnis (17 points) and Daniel Hornbuckle (16 points) led the way, with sophomore guard Kai Johnson also scoring in double digits with 10 points.
Holden was perfect from the field while scoring a career-high 18 points in his 56th and final game as a Viking, going 7-for-7 from the field with four three-pointers. Minnis, a junior in eligibility who will graduate from WWU in June with a degree in Graphic Design, finished with 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting and Hornbuckle was 6-for-11 from the field in his 16-point performance.
The teams were neck-and-neck most of the first half, with neither team able to open up a lead of more than four points. The Vikings held a 45-41 advantage heading into the break, fueled by an all-around offensive effort with nine players getting on the scoresheet and six players contributing at least five first-half points. On the defensive end, redshirt freshman BJ Kollyrecorded three of the team's six first-half blocks.
A 9-1 Viking run at the midway point of the second half was punctuated by dunks from Matthew Mayes and Holden, giving the Vikings a 69-64 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Red Leafs kept it close, but couldn't keep pace with the offensive efficiency of the Vikings, who shot 60-percent from the field in the second half while going 7-for-9 from three-point range. Overall Western was 37-for-69 from the field (.536) and 10-for-21 from three-point range (.476).
The Red Leafs were led by a season-high 20 points from David Penney and an 18-point 12-rebound double-double from Jahmal Wright. SFU finished the season with a record of 6-22 overall and 1-17 in GNAC play, with eight of its last 11 losses coming by a margin of 7 points or less.
Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Simon Fraser from Saturday's 90-79 victory:
|
COMPARISON
|
WWU
|
SFU
|
|
Points
|
90
|
79
|
|
Field Goal Pct.
|
.536 (37-69)
|
.425 (24-80)
|
|
3 Point FG Pct.
|
.476 (10-21)
|
.261 (6-23)
|
|
Free Throw Pct.
|
.600 (6-10)
|
.455 (5-11)
|
|
Rebounds
|
38
|
46
|
|
Offensive Rebounds
|
10
|
21
|
|
Assists
|
15
|
15
|
|
Turnovers
|
9
|
11
|
|
Steals
|
4
|
7
|
|
Blocked Shots
|
7
|
3
|
|
Time Led
|
21:55
|
10:01
|
|
Points off Turnovers
|
12
|
4
|
|
Points in the Paint
|
40
|
46
|
|
Bench Points
|
21
|
13
|
|
Fouls
|
10
|
14
|
|
Biggest Lead
|
13
|
4
|
|
Lead Changes: 11 Times Tied: 13
|
Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown from the 2022-23 season:
|
RECORD BREAKDOWN
|
|
Overall
|
15-13
|
|
GNAC
|
8-10
|
|
Non-Conference
|
7-3
|
|
Streak
|
W1
|
|
Home
|
5-6
|
|
Away
|
6-5
|
|
Neutral
|
4-2
|
|
vs. Ranked Teams
|
0-1
|
|
Leading at Half
|
11-2
|
|
Trailing at Half
|
3-10
|
|
Tied at Half
|
1-1
|
|
Overtime
|
3-2
|
|
BY UNIFORM
|
|
White
|
7-7
|
|
Black
|
6-3
|
|
Navy
|
2-3
|
|
Light Blue
|
0-0
|
SERIES HISTORY VS. SIMON FRASER
WWU swept the season series vs. Simon Fraser, also winning the GNAC opener for both teams on December 3 in Burnaby 76-61. The Vikings now lead the all-time series 61-28 and are 11-4 over the last 15 meetings.
The Vikings finished the season with a 15-13 overall record (.536) marking the 15th consecutive season the Vikings have finished at .500 or above. Head coach Tony Dominguez has led the Vikings to a .500-or-better season in all 10 seasons at the helm of the program, combining to go 197-103 (.657).
Here is a look at the final GNAC standings, complete with Saturday's results to complete the regular season. WWU finished 7th in the GNAC standings, just missing a spot in the GNAC postseason tournament:
|
MEN'S BASKETBALL
|
CONF
|
PCT
|
OVERALL
|
PCT
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
NEUTRAL
|
STREAK
|
|
1.
|
Saint Martin's*+
|
15-3
|
.833
|
23-5
|
.821
|
13-2
|
8-2
|
2-1
|
Won 1
|
|
2.
|
Montana State Billings*
|
14-4
|
.778
|
20-8
|
.714
|
8-3
|
9-4
|
3-1
|
Lost 1
|
|
3.
|
Seattle Pacific*
|
12-6
|
.667
|
17-10
|
.708
|
11-2
|
4-7
|
2-1
|
Won 3
|
|
4.
|
Central Washington*
|
9-9
|
.500
|
13-14
|
.481
|
7-5
|
6-5
|
0-4
|
Won 4
|
|
|
Western Oregon*
|
9-9
|
.500
|
12-13
|
.480
|
6-7
|
5-5
|
1-1
|
Lost 1
|
|
|
Northwest Nazarene*
|
9-9
|
.500
|
12-14
|
.462
|
7-8
|
5-6
|
0-0
|
Lost 2
|
|
7.
|
Western Washington
|
8-10
|
.444
|
15-13
|
.536
|
5-6
|
6-5
|
4-2
|
Won 1
|
|
8.
|
Alaska Fairbanks
|
6-12
|
.333
|
11-15
|
.423
|
8-5
|
2-10
|
1-0
|
Lost 3
|
|
9.
|
Alaska Anchorage
|
7-11
|
.263
|
13-14
|
.481
|
7-6
|
4-7
|
2-1
|
Won 1
|
|
10.
|
Simon Fraser
|
1-17
|
.056
|
6-22
|
.214
|
3-10
|
1-11
|
2-1
|
Lost 12
|
|
* Clinched GNAC Championships berth (top six teams) + Won GNAC regular-season title
|
|
This Week's GNAC Schedule
|
|
Thursday, February 23
at Seattle Pacific 72, Alaska Anchorage 71
at Montana State Billings 60, Alaska Fairbanks 59
Central Washington 77, at Saint Martin's 75
at Western Oregon 65, Northwest Nazarene 53
Saturday, February 25
Central Washington 75, at Western Oregon 73
at Seattle Pacific 60, Alaska Fairbanks 51
Alaska Anchorage 70, at Montana State Billings 61
at Saint Martin's 58, Northwest Nazarene 55
at Western Washington 90, Simon Fraser 79
|
Here is a game-by-game look at the 2022-23 season following the 11-point Senior Night win over SFU:
|
Record: 15-13 GNAC: 8-10 Home: 5-6 Away: 6-5 Neutral: 4-2 Overtime: 3-2
|
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
|
Score
|
Top Scorer
|
Top Rebounder
|
|
11/11
|
vs. Cal Poly Humboldt (Burnaby, BC)
|
W
|
104-95
|
Hornbuckle (22)
|
Holden/Kolly (8)
|
|
11/12
|
vs. Cal St. Dominguez Hills (Burnaby, BC)
|
W
|
94-69
|
Hornbuckle (21)
|
Welp (8)
|
|
11/18
|
vs. Concordia Irvine (Azusa, CA)
|
W
|
92-78
|
Minnis (25)
|
Minnis (7)
|
|
11/19
|
at Azusa Pacific (Azusa, CA)
|
L
|
86-72
|
Johnson (14)
|
Holden (7)
|
|
11/22
|
Maine Fort Kent
|
W
|
108-54
|
Holden (16)
|
Welp (12)
|
|
11/26
|
at Point Loma
|
W
|
91-89 (ot)
|
Johnson (25)
|
Holden (9)
|
|
12/3
|
at Simon Fraser (GNAC)
|
W
|
75-61
|
Ned (21)
|
Johnson/Welp (7)
|
|
12/12
|
Langara
|
W
|
135-87
|
Minnis (23)
|
3 Players (7)
|
|
12/17
|
vs. Texas Permian Basin (Honolulu, HI)
|
L
|
76-66
|
Holden/Ned (13)
|
Kolly/Johnson (8)
|
|
12/18
|
vs. Emmanuel College (Honolulu, HI)
|
L
|
105-98 (ot)
|
Minnis (25)
|
Ned (8)
|
|
12/19
|
at Hawai'i Pacific (Honolulu, HI)
|
W
|
70-69
|
Johnson (18)
|
Kolly/Welp (6)
|
|
12/29
|
at Western Oregon (GNAC)
|
W
|
95-93 (ot)
|
Welp (17)
|
Welp (12)
|
|
12/31
|
at Saint Martin's (GNAC)
|
L
|
89-84
|
Johnson (17)
|
Johnson (7)
|
|
1/5
|
Montana State Billings (GNAC)
|
L
|
80-76
|
Ned (16)
|
Kolly (11)
|
|
1/7
|
Seattle Pacific (GNAC)
|
L
|
90-73
|
Kolly (24)
|
3 Players (6)
|
|
1/12
|
at Alaska Anchorage (GNAC)
|
W
|
79-74
|
Kolly (14)
|
Johnson (8)
|
|
1/14
|
at Alaska Fairbanks (GNAC)
|
L
|
75-73
|
Johnson (18)
|
Kolly (9)
|
|
1/19
|
Central Washington (GNAC)
|
L
|
84-82
|
Kolly (18)
|
Holden (8)
|
|
1/21
|
Northwest Nazarene (GNAC)
|
W
|
78-60
|
Minnis (20)
|
Kolly (11)
|
|
1/26
|
Saint Martin's (GNAC)
|
L
|
75-71
|
Kolly/Hornbuckle (16)
|
Kolly (10)
|
|
1/28
|
Western Oregon (GNAC)
|
L
|
72-70
|
Ned/Hornbuckle (15)
|
Kolly (8)
|
|
2/2
|
at Seattle Pacific (GNAC)
|
W
|
72-67
|
Minnis (21)
|
Johnson (10)
|
|
2/4
|
at Montana State Billings (GNAC)
|
L
|
80-75
|
Minnis (20)
|
3 Players (8)
|
|
2/9
|
Alaska Fairbanks (GNAC)
|
W
|
87-80
|
Hornbuckle (19)
|
Johnson/Kolly (9)
|
|
2/11
|
Alaska Anchorage (GNAC)
|
L
|
89-79
|
Mayes (15)
|
Mayes (6)
|
|
2/16
|
at Northwest Nazarene (GNAC)
|
W
|
96-91 (ot)
|
Hornbuckle (26)
|
Ned (8)
|
|
2/18
|
at Central Washington (GNAC)
|
L
|
86-81 (ot)
|
Johnson (26)
|
Welp (10)
|
|
2/25
|
Simon Fraser (GNAC)
|
W
|
90-79
|
Holden (18)
|
Welp (9)
|
|
GNAC Basketball Championships – March 2-4 in Bellingham, WA (Carver Gym)
|
MINNIS PASSES 1000 CAREER POINT MILESTONE
D'Angelo Minnis is one of 27 players in WWU program history to reach the 1,000-point mark, finishing the 2022-23 season ranked No. 22 with 1,081 points in 83 games (13.0 points per game). Minnis also completed the season with 293 career assists to rank 19th in program history and 13th with 3.5 assists per game. Here is a look at the 1,000-point scorers in WWU history (all points scored as a Viking):
|
WWU ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS
(sorted by total points scored)
|
|
Rk
|
Player
|
Points
|
G
|
Avg.
|
|
1.
|
Jeffrey Parker (2013-17)
|
1,867
|
121
|
15.4
|
|
2.
|
Grant Dykstra (2002-06)
|
1,844
|
113
|
16.3
|
|
3.
|
Ryan Diggs (2002-06)
|
1,783
|
109
|
16.4
|
|
4.
|
Jared Stevenson (1996-2000)
|
1,728
|
106
|
16.3
|
|
5.
|
Mike Palm (1999-2003)
|
1,649
|
111
|
14.9
|
|
6.
|
Manny Kimmie (1986-1990)
|
1,624
|
126
|
12.9
|
|
7.
|
Harold Doyal (1991-95)
|
1,571
|
117
|
13.4
|
|
8.
|
Trevor Jasinsky (2016-19)
|
1,518
|
120
|
12.7
|
|
9.
|
John Allen (2010-13)
|
1,480
|
96
|
15.4
|
|
10.
|
Ira Graham (2004-05, 2006-09)
|
1,465
|
91
|
16.1
|
|
|
Jeff Dick (1990-94)
|
1,465
|
114
|
12.9
|
|
12.
|
Mike Franza (1969-73)
|
1,436
|
90
|
16.0
|
|
13.
|
Tim Dickerson (1984-88)
|
1,347
|
123
|
11.0
|
|
14.
|
Jacob Stevenson (1998-2002)
|
1,320
|
106
|
12.5
|
|
15.
|
Kevin Bryant (1976-1980)
|
1,310
|
109
|
12.0
|
|
16.
|
Rory Blanche (2008-12)
|
1,273
|
109
|
11.7
|
|
17.
|
Richard Woodworth (2009-14)
|
1,262
|
123
|
10.3
|
|
18.
|
Shelton Diggs (1998-2002)
|
1,251
|
109
|
11.5
|
|
19.
|
A.J. Geisa (1998-2002)
|
1,189
|
109
|
10.9
|
|
20.
|
Mike Clayton (1966-70)
|
1,093
|
89
|
12.3
|
|
21.
|
Stan Peterson (1947-51)
|
1,084
|
93
|
11.7
|
|
22.
|
D'Angelo Minnis (2019-23)
|
1,081
|
83
|
13.0
|
|
23.
|
Jason Burrell (2000-04)
|
1,032
|
102
|
10.1
|
|
24.
|
James Johnson (1986-88)
|
1,026
|
71
|
14.5
|
|
25.
|
Rob Visser (1973-76)
|
1,024
|
78
|
13.1
|
|
26.
|
Dwayne Kirkley (1992-94)
|
1,008
|
62
|
16.3
|
|
27.
|
Jim Adams (1960-63)
|
1,007
|
77
|
13.1
|
The Vikings finished the season with 286 made three-point field goals on 752 attempts, both No. 2 in program history. WWU combined to shoot 38.0-percent from beyond the arc, tied for 13th in the WWU single-season record book.
|
WWU TEAM 3-POINT TOP 10
|
|
3FG Made
|
|
3FG Attempted
|
|
1.
|
290
|
2018-19
|
1.
|
813
|
2018-19
|
|
2.
|
286
|
2022-23
|
2.
|
752
|
2022-23
|
|
3.
|
282
|
2016-17
|
3.
|
743
|
2015-16
|
|
4.
|
275
|
2005-06
|
4.
|
703
|
2016-17
|
|
5.
|
268
|
2015-16
|
5.
|
691
|
2019-20
|
|
6.
|
258
|
2004-05
|
6.
|
660
|
2011-12
|
|
7.
|
253
|
2011-12
|
7.
|
647
|
2005-06
|
|
8.
|
243
|
2019-20
|
8.
|
646
|
1997-98
|
|
9.
|
241
|
2003-04
|
9.
|
641
|
2014-15
|
|
10.
|
235
|
2012-13
|
10.
|
637
|
2004-05
|
MINNIS AND HORNBUCKLE THREE-POINT MACHINES
WWU guards D'Angelo Minnis and Daniel Hornbuckle are among the top 15 in program history in career three-pointers made. Here is a look at the top three-point shooters in program history (by 3-pointers made):
|
WWU Career 3-Point FG Made
|
|
1.
|
279
|
Jared Stevenson (106 games)
|
1996-00
|
|
2.
|
277
|
Jeffrey Parker (121 games)
|
2013-17
|
|
3.
|
266
|
Grant Dykstra (113 games)
|
2002-06
|
|
4.
|
234
|
Jeff Dick (114 games)
|
1990-94
|
|
5.
|
198
|
John Allen (96 games)
|
2010-13
|
|
6.
|
197
|
Trevor Jasinsky (120 games)
|
2016-20
|
|
7.
|
173
|
Manny Kimmie (126 games)
|
1986-90
|
|
8.
|
168
|
Tim Dickerson (123 games)
|
1984-88
|
|
9.
|
157
|
Craig Roosendaal (54 games)
|
2003-05
|
|
10.
|
153
|
D'Angelo Minnis (83 games)
|
2019-23
|
|
11.
|
150
|
Shelton Diggs (109 games)
|
1998-02
|
|
12.
|
148
|
Daniel Hornbuckle (54 games)
|
2021-23
|
|
13.
|
143
|
Ryan Diggs (109 games)
|
2002-06
|
|
14.
|
134
|
Ryan Kettman (111 games)
|
1997-01
|
|
15.
|
124
|
Richard Woodworth (123 games)
|
2009-14
|
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 1,543 all-time victories. Head coach Tony Dominguez is in his 10th season and 11th year as the Vikings head coach (28th overall at WWU).
