By: Jamal Smith Sports Editor
The Western Oregon men’s basketball team crushed Concordia University (CU) 92-59 in their GNAC conference opener on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 in Portland, Ore.
This game was the first-ever meeting between the two schools in GNAC conference play. Concordia joined Division II and the GNAC conference earlier this year.
WOU took the lead before the ball was tossed up at midcourt due to an administrative technical foul called against CU. Senior Jordan Wiley (G) made the free throw to give the Wolves a 1-0 advantage.
The first five minutes of the game belonged to the Wolves who outscored the Cavaliers 17-3.
CU came within 9 points of lead on two occasions in the first half, but could not chip away at the lead any further thanks to Western’s stifling defense. The first half ended with the Wolves up on the Cavaliers 45-29.
In the second half, the Wolfpack continued their consistent play on both sides of the ball. WOU outscored the Cavs 47-30 in the half and kept a double-digit lead throughout.
Redshirt-senior Andy Avgi (F), the 2014-15 GNAC Player of the Year, led all scorers with 27 points on 10 for 16 shooting from the floor. Avgi excelled from distance, shooting 4 for 5 from the beyond the arch and also adding 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Wiley was one of three Wolves in double figures and had a season-best 21 points on 7 for 10 shots fired.
Freshman Kadeem Strickland (G) filled up the stat sheet tallying 13 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Defense and ball security played a key role in the Wolves’ victory.
WOU committed only 8 turnovers leading to only 4 points off of turnovers and created 22 Cavalier turnovers leading to 27 points. The Wolves also had a season high 13 steals and held the Cavaliers to just .420 shooting from the floor.
The 92 points scored for the Wolves was their high mark for the season. As a team, Western shot .507 from the floor and .464 from the three-point line. The Wolves held every possible statistical advantage.
With the decisive victory the No. 4 ranked Wolves improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in GNAC conference play.
Next up, the Wolves host Montana State University-Billings (2-4) on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the New P.E. Building.
You can purchase tickets online or in person on game day at the box office.
