ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Facing a must-win situation to keep its postseason hopes alive, the Western Washington University men's basketball team delivered an offensive masterpiece to defeat rival Central Washington University 103-92 Thursday inside Nicholson Pavilion.

The Vikings scored a season-high 103 points while shooting 53.6 percent in the game (37-for-68) to improve to 13-15 overall and 7-10 in GNAC play. WWU needs another win on Saturday at Northwest Nazarene and a little help to secure one of the six playoff spots for the GNAC Championships that will be held March 5-7 in Bellingham.

Western trailed by as many as 14 points late in the first half, but cut the halftime deficit to six points finishing on a 14-6 run. The Vikings carried the momentum into the second half, opening with a 13-2 run to take a 54-49 lead, and did not give up the lead to secure the rivalry season sweep of the Wildcats. Western out-scored Central 62-45 in the second half to record the comeback victory.

The Wildcats closed to within one point of the Vikings three times in the final five minutes, but each time Western found an answer. WWU led 86-85 with four minutes remaining in the contest when senior forward Garrett Levesque connected on consecutive three-pointers as part of his career-high 28-point scoring performance. WWU closed out the 11-point victory scoring the final seven points.

Levesque was nearly perfect from the field going 12-for-14 in his career-high night, also grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out three assists and recording one steal. The senior was limited to 21 minutes on the court due to foul trouble, recording his fourth foul at the 13:32 mark of the second half.

Junior guard Nehemiah Pollard added 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting – with four second-half dunks – and had six rebounds. Freshman guard Dennis Johnson III neared a triple-double with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists playing all 40 minutes. Sophomores Aidan Rice (13 points, 8 assists) and Bennett Olujic (7 points, 7 assists) also had key contributions in the victory.

WWU dished out a season-high 28 assists and committed just eight turnovers. The victory was the Vikings first on the road in 2025-26, dropping the previous nine true road games to open the season.

Central Washington (14-14, 8-9 GNAC) was led by 27 points from Eli Williams on 11-for-17 shooting and 20 points by Bradley Swillie.

The Vikings (13-15, 7-10 GNAC) close out the regular season Saturday at Northwest Nazarene with a 7 pm MT/6 pm PT tip-off scheduled in Nampa, Idaho. The complete 2025-26 WWU men's basketball schedule is available online at WWUVikings.com, complete with links to follow the team, updated statistics and game information.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Central Washington:

The Vikings swept the season series vs. the Wildcats, also winning 97-95 in Carver Gym on December 6. Thursday's meeting marked the 271st all-time game between the in-state rivals. WWU has won the last three games against Central and is 6-4 vs. the Wildcats in the last 10 games. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 161-110, with WWU holding a 37-20 advantage in the series since both teams joined the NCAA level in 1998-99.

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. 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.