Men's Basketball | 11/27/2009 7:48:35 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BELMONT, Calif. - The Western Oregon University basketball team suffered its first loss of the season as it fell 83-69 to Dominican, on the first day of the NDNU Thanksgiving Classic, Friday, Nov. 27.

The loss sent the Wolves to 3-1 on the season as the Penguins picked up their first win of the year to move to 1-3.

Dominican was efficient on both ends of the floor as it shot 53.3-percent from field and held WOU to 38.8 percent shooting, including 4-of-21 from three-point range. It also forced the Wolves into a season-high 22 turnovers.

"We were not contesting their shots and were turning the ball over," said Western Oregon head coach Craig Stanger. "Dominican did a good job attacking us offensively and getting to the rim. We also made too many unforced turnovers trying to force transition and making marginal decisions."

Rico Myles helped the Wolves win the rebounding battle 42-30, as he grabbed 18 boards, with 10 of those coming on the offensive glass. Matt Schmidt led the Wolves in scoring with 16 points as he went 6-of-12 from the field. WOU also received double-digit scoring performances from Tarance Glynn with 11 and Blair Wheadon with 10.

Western Oregon trailed by just three at the break (39-36) but Dominican opened the second half with a 10-0 run to take a commanding lead. The Wolves would fight back to cut the Penguins' lead to four at 62-58, but DU scored 21 of the final 32 points to secure the victory.

"They were hungry for a win and we looked content just being there," continued Stanger.

Austin Bryan led the Penguins in scoring with 21 points while Mark Lewis and Alex Ward each added 18.

WOU did shoot well from the charity stripe going 13-of-15, but were still outscored by four at the line as Dominican went 17-of-25.

The Wolves will continue play in the NDNU Thanksgiving Classic, tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., against Notre Dame de Namur. This will be the second meeting of the season between these teams.