CHENEY, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team closed out its preseason schedule with an 81-65 exhibition game loss at Eastern Washington University Tuesday evening on Reese Court.
The Vikings tested the Division I Eagles pulling to within four points at 61-57 with 14:17 remaining in the game, using a 21-4 run spanning the end of the first half and first seven minutes of the second half.
EWU answered with a 7-2 run to pull back ahead by nine points and finished the game on a 13-4 run for the 16-point victory. The Eagles led by as many as 21 points late in the first half.
WWU featured three players scoring in double-digits, led by 13 points from junior guard Grant Kepley (4-for-10 FG, 3-for-4 3FG), 12 points from redshirt freshman guard Jaxon Dubiel (5-for-10 FG) and 10 points from junior forward Trevor White (4 rebounds). Forwards Bennett Olujic and Liam Slattum contributed seven points each.
EWU was led by a game-high 26 points by Alton Hamilton IV, fueled by 20-for-22 from the free throw line, and 14 points from Jamil Miller.
Western's defense limited Eastern to 18-for-51 shooting from the field (35.3%), but the Eagles were sent to the free throw line 48 times (43-for-48).
The preseason exhibition game does not count towards the 2026-27 season standings or official statistics.
WWU officially opens the 2026-27 season this weekend with three games at the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic in Ellensburg, facing Cal State San Bernardino, No. 23 Lubbock Christian and Chico State (all at 7 pm). Fans can stream the games pay-per-view on the GNAC Network.
The complete 2026-27 season schedule can be viewed at WWUVikings.com and season/single-game tickets can be ordered online at WWUVikings.com/Tickets. The Vikings official home opener is set for Monday, November 9 with a 7 pm game against Douglas College on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
