BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team gave first-place Montana State Billings a strong test, but a late comeback attempt came up just short in an 88-83 loss Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

WWU had a strong first half leading by as many as nine points and took a 45-43 lead into halftime, but MSUB powered past the Vikings in the second half to build an 11-point lead with 6:50 remaining. Western chipped away at the deficit out-scoring MSUB 19-11 after digging the 11-point hole and had a chance to tie the game on a three-pointer attempt by Tijan Saine with 11-seconds on the clock. The Yellowjackets weathered the storm and hit a few free throws to close out the five-point victory to remain in first place in the GNAC.

The Vikings remained in a tie for 5th place in the conference standings at 14-10 overall and 6-7 in GNAC play heading into the final five games of the regular season. WWU is looking to remain in the top six in the standings to earn a trip to the conference tournament held March 7-9 in Ellensburg. 

Junior guard Will Wilson led five Vikings in double-digit scoring with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Junior guard Kai Johnson kept his streak alive of scoring in double-digits in all 24 games this season with 16 points and Saine added 16 points with five assists. Senior forward Jonathan Ned (11 points) and senior guard Darius Gary (10) also reached double figures for the Vikings.

MSUB shot a season-best 57.9-percent from the field connecting on 33-of-57 shots and was 7-for-18 from three-point range. Zharon Richmond scored a game-high 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting and was 7-for-9 from the free throw line. Guards Jalen Tot  (17 points, 7 assists) and Daniel Moody (21 points, 9 rebounds) both neared a double-double. The Yellowjackets improved to 17-6 overall and remain in first place in the GNAC at 11-2.

The Vikings (14-10, 6-7 GNAC) are back on the road next week traveling to play the Alaska schools, beginning with a Thursday contest at Alaska Fairbanks (7:30 pm AKT). The complete season schedule, complete with links on how to watch the games, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/MBB.

Junior guard Will Wilson was selected as the WECU Player of the Game leading the Vikings with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc. Wilson also had four assists and a pair of steals.

M🏀| WECU Player of the Game

With 22 points on 7-12 shooting and 6-7 from the free throw line, Will Wilson is the WECU Player of the Game! Will also added 4 assists and 2 steals to round out his night. pic.twitter.com/rYxcCBNsrl
— WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) February 11, 2024
  

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

MSUB swept the regular-season series for the second straight year against the Vikings, also winning 97-84 in Billings earlier this season. WWU continues to lead the all-time series 25-14.

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2023-24 season:

Here is an updated look at the 2023-24 GNAC Men's Basketball standings following play on Saturday, with the Vikings remaining in a tie for 5th place in the table. Updated standings and conference statistics can be viewed online at GNACSports.com.

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season following the five-point loss to first-place MSUB:

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, WWU has recorded a 20-win season in eight of the last 12 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 five years (and seven of 10) and won the 2020 GNAC Championships Tournament. WWU is amongst the top 15 winningest Division II programs with its 1,557 all-time victories.