By JACOB HANSEN Staff Writer
Western Oregon men’s basketball won both games last week in dominant fashion, scoring a season high 114 points during their 114-75 win against Simon Fraser on Jan. 22.
The Wolves also beat Western Washington 90-87 on Jan. 24 in a comeback led by guard Julian Nichols who scored the final seven points of the contest. With these two wins Western Oregon (16-3, 8-1 GNAC) is now ranked No. 24 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches poll. This is the first time in program
history that the Wolves men’s basketball team has been ranked in the top 25 teams in the country.
Along with two wins, guard Jordan Wiley was awarded in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for his performances. Wiley was named GNAC Player of the Week thanks to a career performance against Simon Fraser and a key three-point basket
late versus Western Washington.
Wiley scored a career high 26 points while making an impressive 7-for-8 from three point range against Simon Fraser (5-14, 2-7 GNAC). He also snagged six rebounds and two steals.
In the following match against the Vikings of Western Washington (10-9, 3-6 GNAC) Wiley contributed 15 points to the win including a late three pointer that helped to seal the win for the Wolves.
During the Western Washington game, forward Andy Avgi became the newest member of the 1000 point club with his first basket from the free throw line. That night he also had a team high 21 points and a team high five rebounds.
“It felt good to beat a team that hadn’t been beaten on their home count in over a year at their place.” Avgi said.
During the win against Simon Fraser the Wolves dominated from down low, as two forwards had more than 20 points. Marwan Sarhan had a season high 20-point performance to accompany Avgi’s 23. As a team, Western Oregon combined to shoot
43-for-74 (58.1 percent) from the field. The Wolves were also a combined 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from beyond the three-point line and 18-of-23 (78.3 percent) at the free throw line.
“We got significant contributions from all 11 guys in uniform tonight. We defended with great intensity and attacked their pressure with purpose,” said head coach Brady Bergeson.
During the Saturday night win against Western Washington Nichols added 18 points that included 15 in the second half, to go along with a game-high eight assists, three steals, and a pair of rebounds. His clutch play helped to rally the Wolves from behind late in the game. As a team, Western Oregon combined to shoot
31-for-55 (56.4 percent) from the field that included a 7-of-15 (46.7 percent)
showing from beyond the three-point line and a 21-for-23 (91.3 percent) performance at the free throw line.
“We had to dig down deep to get this one done,” said Bergeson. “[Western Washington] outplayed us for 17 minutes in the second half. We outplayed them for the final three. I’m very proud of the toughness we displayed on the road.”
The Wolves, who are 16-3 overall and 8-1 in the GNAC, are riding a current six-game winning streak and have won 15 of their last 16 games dating back to mid-November.
The Wolves will host a pair of GNAC games this week beginning on Thursday, Jan. 29 against Montana State University Billings starting at 7 p.m. Two days later, Western Oregon will welcome the Falcons of Seattle Pacific University on Saturday
Jan. 31, starting at 7 p.m.
