By: TK Layman staff writer
Western Oregon men’s basketball excelled during the winter break, scoring wins over Portland Bible, Central Washington, Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s. The Wolves finished the winter break at 4-2.
The Wolves took on The Portland Bible Wildcats on Dec. 11 with a massive win of 114-58. Wolves’ Malik Leaks, Ali Faruq-Bey and Demetrius Trammell were t
he top three scorers, combining for a total of 55 points. Leaks, scoring 20, went 6-for-9 in three point attempts, with two free throws. Outscoring the Wildcats by over 25 points each half, they easily walked away with a win.
After a cancelled game due to inclement weather, the men’s team re
turned home on Dec. 29 to face off against the Central Washington Wildcats and secure another mark in the “W” column with a 98-77 win. Wolves’ Faruq-Bey had another top scorer performance with a total of 22 points making 5-for-5 in free throws. Notable performances by Western’s Demetrius Trammell and Tanner Omlid, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively.
During a Washington road trip the Wolves played against Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s, winning both games. Jan. 5, Western’s Tanner Omlid scored a career high 34-points going 5-for-6 in three point shots, adding in 3 blocks and 2 steals during the game. Ali Faruq-Bey scored 15 points, 11 of which came during the second half and tacked on another 4 rebounds to help the Wolves come to a close win over Seattle Pacific, 76-74.
During the last game before the break’s end, on Jan. 7, the Wolves took on Saint Martin’s in a conference game, finishing the road trip with an 80-67 win. Omlid remained hot during the road trip with an 18 point game, adding 3 blocks, 3 assists and 3 steals against Saint Martin’s. Faruq-Bey and Trammell both had high scoring nights with 17 and 14 points to their names. Wolves forward JJ Chirnside had a career high night with 13-points going 5-for-8 in field goal attempts, also posting his first collegiate double-double with 11 rebounds.
The Wolves return to Western on Thursday, Jan. 12 to face off against Simon Fraser University in the New PE building. On Saturday, Jan. 14 the Wolves play Western Washington at home during the Red Out event.
Keep up with the Wolves at wouwolves.com
Contact the author at tlayman16@mail.wou.edu
