Western Washington University Athletics

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Redshirt freshman guard Jaxon Dubiel scored 31 points on 10-for-18 shooting, but the Western Washington University men's basketball team was unable to power past a hot-shooting Chico State squad in a 90-82 loss Sunday evening to conclude play at the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic.

The Vikings held a 35-34 halftime lead against the Wildcats, but Chico State scored 56 second-half points on the way to the eight-point victory. WWU falls to 0-3 on the season after dropping tournament games to Cal State San Bernardino (85-82) and nationally ranked Lubbock Christian (72-67).

Chico State shot 50-percent for the game (27-for-54) and was 11-for-19 from three-point range, including 7-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Dubiel poured in 31 points to follow his 26-point effort in the season opener and 16 points vs. Lubbock Christian. The redshirt freshman guard was 10-for-10 from the free throw line and filled the stat sheet with five steals, three assists and two rebounds in 34 minutes.

Junior guard Grant Kepley contributed 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting and had four rebounds and three assists. Junior forward Trevor White added 14 points and four rebounds.

WWU shot 47.3-percent from the field (26-for-55) and was 24-for-32 from the free throw line. The Vikings were out-rebounded 40-23 with Chico State holding a 13-6 advantage in offensive rebounds (19 second chance points).

Chico State (1-2) earned its first win of the young season behind 25 points from Cortevious Taylor (9-for-12 FG, 6-for-8 3FG) and 21 points from Robel Zemmo (5-for-9 FG). Braddock Kjellesvig neared a double-double with nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

The 2026 CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic featured 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 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 62, Chico State 56

3:00 pm – Cal State San Bernardino 79, Central Washington 70

7:00 pm – #23 Lubbock Christian 72, Western Washington 67

Sunday, November 1:

11:00 am – Cal State San Bernardino 73, Montana State Billings 57

3:00 pm – Central Washington 74, #23 Lubbock Christian 62

7:00 pm – Chico State 90, Western Washington 82

The Vikings return to action with the home opener on Monday, November 9 hosting Douglas College on WECU Court in Carver Gym (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.

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

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: