AZUSA, Calif. – Led by a career-high 23 points from sophomore guard Louis Grante-Halliday the Western Washington University men's basketball team defeated Azusa Pacific University 88-82 Saturday evening to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The Vikings are off to their best undefeated start to a season since winning eight consecutive games to open the 2016-17 season. Saturday's victory over APU concluded a two-game trip to California with WWU also defeating Cal State San Marcos 76-61 on Friday. 

Western was led by four players scoring in double-figures, led by the career-high scoring performance by Grante-Halliday that featured 9-for-14 shooting, five steals, four rebounds and three assists. 

Junior forward Dajon Lott scored 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting, redshirt freshman guard Grant Kepley neared a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds and senior guard Will Wilson contributed 17 points and eight assists.

"I am proud of how the guys approached these two road games and played together in both wins," said WWU head coach Tony Dominguez. "Some great individual performances, but overall both wins were team efforts."

The Vikings shot 48.5-percent from the field (33-for-68), were 9-for-24 from beyond the arc and 13-for-16 from the free throw line (9-for-11 in second half).

APU (2-2) was led by 17 points from Ethan Speaker, 16 by Michael Saba and 14 from Seattle Pacific transfer Maui Sze. The Cougars shot 55.4-percent from the field (31-for-56) and were 11-for-21 from three-point range.

The WWU defense forced 14 turnovers leading to 18 points, with a season-high eight steals the key factor. The Vikings also won the rebound battle 34-28 with a 16-7 advantage in offensive boards.

WWU trailed 51-46 at the 15:38 mark in the second half but went on a 13-2 lead to take the lead with three consecutive three-pointers from Will Wilson, Louis Grante-Halliday and Trevor White leading the surge. WWU never trailed after that scoring spurt on the way to the six-point victory.

The Vikings (4-0) return home for a pair of non-conference games next week hosting Westminster on Thursday and Northwest University on Saturday, with both games featuring a 7 pm tip-off on WECU Court in Carver Gym. The complete season schedule, complete with links on how to watch the games, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/MBB.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Azusa Pacific:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2024-25 season:

WWU improved to 4-3 all-time vs. Azusa Pacific and has won three of the last four meetings vs. the Cougars. The Vikings defeated APU 100-90 last season after falling 86-72 in Azusa in 2022.

Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2024-25 season purchase their season tickets online via WWUVikings.com/Tickets or call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 to catch all the action during the season in Carver Gym.

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, WWU has recorded a 20-win season in eight of the last 13 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 six years (and seven of 11) and won the 2020 GNAC Championships Tournament. WWU is amongst the top 20 winningest Division II programs with its 1,564 all-time victories.