BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team had its undefeated start to the season snapped in a 66-63 loss at the buzzer to Westminster University in non-conference play on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

Westminster senior guard Chase Potter hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer from just inside the half-court line to give the Griffins the three-point victory to improve to 3-1 on the season.

WWU moved to 4-1 after opening the season with four consecutive victories over West Region opponents. 

The Vikings erased an early 18-point deficit to take a 38-35 lead into the halftime break.

Western was limited to 25 second-half points on 10-for-22 shooting, but did lead by as many as nine points with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.

With the score tied 63-63 the Vikings had a chance for the game-winning shot but Will Wilson was not able to convert a contested jump shot, setting up the last-second dramatics for the Griffins. Potter raced down the court with three seconds remaining on the clock and let his shot go right around the center court mark for the game-winning shot.

Redshirt freshman guard Grant Kepley led the Vikings with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting and also had five assists and five rebounds. Senior guard Will Wilson (13 points, 5 assists) and sophomore guard Louis Grante-Halliday (10 points, 6 rebounds) also scored in double-digits.

Potter led four Griffins in double-figure scoring with a game-high 19 points on 8-for-16 shooting and was perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc capped by the buzzer beater.

Westminster guard Chase Potter hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer from just inside the half court line to give Griffins the 66-63 victory over the Vikings in Carver Gym.

Trailing 29-11 the Vikings went on a 22-4 run to pull even at 33-33. WWU shot 7-for-13 from the field over the scoring stretch after beginning the game 4-for-13 from the field. A follow-up shot after a missed dunk by Garrett Levesque gave WWU the 35-33 lead with 55-seconds remaining to erase the 18-point deficit. WWU went into the half leading 38-35 following a Levesque three-pointer to conclude the first-half scoring. Grant Kepley led WWU with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Senior guard Will Wilson and Levesque each scored nine points. Westminster was led by 12 points by Simon Akena on 6-for-8 shooting. The Griffins opened the game shooting 13-for-17 from the field (76.5%) before going 3-for-12 the rest of the half.

The Vikings (4-1) remain at home hosting Northwest University on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm 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 Westminster:

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

Here are the three final scores involving GNAC teams Thursday in non-conference play:

• Saint Martin's 76, Academy of Art 74
• Montana State Billings 73, Black Hills State 70
• Westminster 66, Western Washington 63

Thursday marked the first meeting between WWU and Westminster.

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.