MONMOUTH, Ore. – In a game that featured 23 lead changes and 12 tie scores, the Western Washington University men's basketball team could not rally late in the game falling to Western Oregon 74-68 Saturday in GNAC action.

WWU lost its third consecutive game and fifth in the last six games to fall to 8-11 overall and 2-6 in conference games. The Vikings dropped to 0-6 in road games during the 2025-26 season. WOU improved to 7-9 overall and 2-5 in GNAC games.

The tightly contested game saw neither team lead by double digits in the contest. The Wolves pulled ahead 62-61 on a pair of AB Gilchrist free throws at the 4:28 mark and led the remainder of the way while scoring 10 of their final 14 points from the free throw line.

Trailing 70-66 with 30 seconds remaining, Aidan Rice looked to pull the Vikings to within one point driving the lane and making a contested layup, but an offensive foul was called to call off the basket. Jadin Penigar made four free throws down the stretch to seal the WOU six-point victory.

Junior guard Nehemiah Pollard recorded game-highs with 23 points and eight rebounds, going 9-for-14 from the field. Playing in front of friends and family in his native home state, Rice scored 15 points and Bennett Olujic added 13 points with five assists in his first career start. The Vikings shot 44.4-percent for the game (28-for-63) but were held to 2-for-20 from three-point range.

WOU featured five players in double-digit scoring, led by 15 points from Penigar and 14 by Braydon Olson. 

The Vikings (8-11, 2-6 GNAC) returns home next week opening a three-game homestand hosting Simon Fraser on Saturday with tip-off set for 5:30 pm. The Viking women also play SFU to open the doubleheader at 3:00 PM on WECU Court in Carver Gym. 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 Western Oregon:

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 Saturday to close 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.