BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Behind a strong second-half performance and all five starters scoring in double-digits, the Western Washington University men's basketball team continued its winnings ways recording its seventh consecutive victory defeating Montana State Billings 94-74 Thursday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

The Vikings turned a 10-point deficit into a 20-point victory with a phenomenal final 20 minutes of the contest to improve to 15-7 overall and 7-6 in GNAC play. WWU opened the conference slate with five consecutive losses, but has turned the season around with the current seven-game winning streak to vault up the standings into 5th place. 

Western trailed 25-15 with seven minutes remaining the second half, but found a late surge to trail by only three points 35-32 at halftime. The Vikings then put together an impressive second half out-scoring the Yellowjackets 62-39 while shooting a blistering 70.6-percent (24-for-34) from the field. With the torrid second-half shooting performance the Vikings finished with a 57.4-percent shooting percentage (35-for-61), the 6th-best team shooting performance in the conference in a GNAC game this season.

Redshirt freshman Grant Kepley recorded team highs with 24 points and 12 rebounds for his second career double-double. Kepley was 10-for-14 from the field and contributed a team-best five assists. 

Junior Garrett Levesque also chipped in his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 6-for-8 shooting. All five Western starters scored in double-digits with senior guard Will Wilson (20 points, 4-for-7 3 FG), sophomore guard Tijan Saine (14 points) and freshman forward Trevor White (12 points) paving the way for the 20-point victory. Wilson has now scored at least 20 points in each of his last three games and five of his last six to raise his season scoring average to 16.8 points per game (3rd in GNAC).

Eight of the 10 players that saw action for the Vikings scored points, including a three-pointer by walk-on Drew Jensen late in the second half for his first collegiate points.

MSUB (15-10, 6-6 GNAC) was led by a game-high 27 points by Kael Robinson on 12-for-19 shooting and 16 points from reigning GNAC Player of the Year Jalen Tot. Brendon Johnson contributed a 14-point, 10 rebound double-double for MSUB, which shot 40.3-percent for the game (27-for-67).

The Vikings (15-7, 7-5 GNAC) remains at home hosting Seattle Pacific on Saturday with tip-off at 7 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Tickets are available online at wwuvikings.com/Tickets. The complete season schedule, complete with links on how to watch the games, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/MBB.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Join Viking fans in a pregame party prior to the Saturday, February 8 game vs. Seattle Pacific! The Foundation for WWU & Alumni is hosting a pregame party starting at 5:30 pm in Gym C in Carver Gym. The event includes a special performance by WWU Cheer at 6 pm, with the game vs. the Falcons to follow at 7 pm. The all ages event features food, drinks, fun and more with registration available at wwuvikings.com/HoopsParty. Registration includes, a ticket to the game, dinner, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, games, and more (Adults-$25, Children-$15, Season Ticket Holders-$10).

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Montana State Billings:

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

The Vikings swept the regular season series vs. the Yellowjackets adding an 84-70 win on January 11 in Billings to Thursday's 94-74 home victory. MSUB had won its last three trips to Carver Gym dating to the 2022 season. WWU leads the all-time series vs. the Yellowjackets 27-14 with a 16-5 record in home games (15-4 in Carver Gym).

Here is a look at the 2024-25 GNAC Men's Basketball standings and overall records through Thursday's action. Updated standings and conference statistics can be viewed online at GNACSports.com. The top six teams in the conference standings at the end of the regular season will qualify for the GNAC Championships held March 6-8 in Lacey:

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2024-25 season following 20-point victory over MSUB:

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 1,575 all-time victories.