LACEY, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team nearly erased a 22-point deficit pulling to within four points in the second half, but couldn't complete the comeback in an 89-76 road loss Thursday against No. 17 nationally ranked Saint Maritn's University inside Marcus Pavilion.

The Vikings endured a slow start in the GNAC contest, falling behind 43-21 late in the first half and were down 45-29 at the halftime break. The Saints used an 18-0 run in the first half to build the big lead.

Western chipped away at the deficit in the second half pulling to within four points at 72-68 with just over five minutes remaining in the game, but the comeback attempt stalled and Saint Martin's pulled away at the free throw line for the 13-point victory.

WWU dropped to 8-10 overall and 2-5 in GNAC play. The Vikings played without Preseason All-GNAC forward Trevor White for the fifth consecutive game due to injury, a stretch where the team has gone 1-4. SMU improved to 14-2 overall and remained perfect at 6-0 in conference play while tying the program record with its 11th consecutive victory.

The Vikings were led by 29 points from sophomore guard Aidan Rice on 9-for-19 shooting and 5-for-12 from three-point range. Freshman guard Dennis Johnson III added 13 points, five rebounds and five steals, junior guard Nehemiah Pollard scored 11 points and junior guard Malachi Miller had 10 points.

SMU was led by a game-high 37 points from Kaden Hansen who was 10-for-22 from the field and 13-for-13 from the free throw line while playing all 40 minutes.

The Vikings (8-10, 2-5 GNAC) remain on the road traveling south on I-5 to Monmouth, Oregon to face Western Oregon on Saturday in a 4:15 pm game. The complete 2025-26 WWU men's basketball schedule is available online at WWUVikings.com, complete with links to follow the team on the road, updated statistics and team information.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and No. 17 Saint Martin's:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2025-26 season:

Here is a look at the GNAC standings and schedule through play on Thursday to open the fourth week of the conference slate. Updated conference statistics and postseason information 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 5-7 in Carver Gym in Bellingham.