Western Washington University Athletics

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team made a strong second half comeback in its season-opening 85-82 loss against Cal State San Bernardino Friday evening at the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic.

The Vikings held a one-point 47-46 halftime lead, but the Coyotes used a 7-0 run out of the break on the way to building a 13-point lead late in the second half. WWU didn't wither down the stretch, going on a 13-3 run to pull to within two points at 84-82 in the final minute.

WWU was led by a game-high 26 points from redshirt freshman guard Jaxon Dubiel, who made his official collegiate debut going 8-for-15 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free throw line. Dubiel added to his all-around stat line with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and one blocked shot in 34 minutes.

Sophomore forward Liam Slattum added 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting (with 7 rebounds), junior guard Grant Kepley contributed 12 points, five assists and four steals and junior forward Bennett Olujic had 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Vikings shot 47.5-percent for the game (29-for-61) and were 8-for-23 (.348) from three-point range. 

Cal State San Bernardino, the top team receiving votes outside the NABC preseason top 25, won its season opener behind 34-for-66 shooting from the field (51.5-percent) and a 41-36 rebounding advantage. Hassan Dorman and Chris Harris tied for the team lead with 16 points each, as five Coyotes reached double-figures in scoring.

WWU continues play in the D2 Tip-Off Classic Saturday taking on No. 23 nationally ranked Lubbock Christian in a game scheduled to tip-off at 7 pm in Nicholson Pavilion on the Central Washington University campus.

The 2026 CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic features six women's teams and six men's teams, with the three-day tournament featuring six games each day inside Nicholson Pavilion in Ellensburg. Here is a look at the men's tournament schedule and Friday's results:

Friday, October 30:

11:00 am – #23 Lubbock Christian 78, Montana State Billings 73

3:00 pm – Central Washington 78, Chico State 69

7:00 pm – Cal State San Bernardino 85, Western Washington 82

Saturday, October 31:

11:00 am – Montana State Billings vs. Chico State

3:00 pm – Central Washington vs. Cal State San Bernardino

7:00 pm – Western Washington vs. #23 Lubbock Christian

Sunday, November 1:

11:00 am – Montana State Billings vs. Cal State San Bernardino

3:00 pm – Central Washington vs. #23 Lubbock Christian

7:00 pm – Western Washington vs. Chico State

WWU is back in action Saturday with the second of three games at the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic in Ellensburg, facing No. 23 Lubbock Christian with tip-off at 7 pm. The Vikings close out the opening weekend of the 2026-27 season Sunday facing Chico State (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.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Cal State San Bernardino:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2026-27 season:

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2026-27 schedule and results: