NAMPA, Idaho – The Western Washington University men's basketball team opened GNAC play Thursday with a one-point 75-74 loss at Northwest Nazarene University in the Johnson Center.

WWU erased a late eight-point deficit and had a good look at the potential game-winning shot that fell just short to fall to the Nighthawks on Opening Night in conference play. The Vikings dropped to 6-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. NNU improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in league play.

The Vikings led by as many as nine points at 54-45 near the 16-minute mark in the second half, but the Nighthawks went on a 16-4 run to take a 61-58 lead. NNU extended its lead to 12 points, but the Vikings came back to pull to within one point twice at 72-71 and 75-74 in the final minute.

WWU had to commit four consecutive fouls to force the Nighthawks into a 1-and-1 situation to get a chance at a final possession. NNU missed the front end at the free throw line setting up the potential heroics. Sophomore guard Tijan Saine drove the lane and had a good look on a floating jumper that fell just short in the final seconds.

Junior forward Dajon Lott led all players with 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting (3-for-4 3FG) and senior guard Will Wilson added 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting. The Vikings were limited to 44.1-percent shooting in the game (26-for-59), well below their conference-leading mark of 52.1-percent entering the game.

Easton Reagan led three NNU players scoring in double-digits with a team-high 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting, with Kye Dickson adding 14 points and Briggs Ranstrom with 10 points. NNU shot 50.0-percent from the field connecting on 26-of-52 shots. The Nighthawks received 34 of their 75 points from non-starters.

The Vikings (6-2, 0-1 GNAC) are back in action on the road Saturday facing rival Central Washington with tip-off scheduled for 4 pm inside Nicholson Pavilion. 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 Northwest Nazarene:

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

WWU continues to lead the all-time series vs. NNU 37-14 with a 34-12 record in GNAC play. The Vikings are now 14-10 all-time in games played inside the Johnson Center in Nampa, Idaho.

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2024-25 season following Thursday's 75-75 loss at Northwest Nazarene:

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 1,566 all-time victories.