Men's Basketball | 12/14/2009 7:18:58 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Kyle Long went 8-of-11 from the floor to scored 25 points and lead the Western Oregon University men's basketball team to an 84-61 win over Northwest Christian, Monday, Dec. 14th.

This was the first game-action in 12 days for the Wolves, who pushed their record to 5-2 with the win. The loss was the second consecutive for the Beacons (9-4), who had rattled off nine straight wins prior to those back-to-back losses.

WOU utilized the three-point shot, going 10-of-15 from behind the arc, including 7-of-9 in the first half. It also held NCU to just 3-of-16 from long range, as it outscored the Beacons from 21 points from deep. That high percentage would carry over to the Wolves' overall shooting, as they shot 54.7-percent from the floor and held the Beacons to a 37-percent clip.

"They were giving us looks from the outside and we were able to knock down our shots," said WOU head coach Craig Stanger. "The guys stepped up today and had one of their best defensive efforts in holding a good team under 40-percent shooting."

Long helped WOU overcome a slow first half start as he scored 12 points in the opening stanza, by going 2-of-3 from long range and 6-of-6 at the free throw line. In the second period, Long came out firing, scoring nine of WOU's first 13 points, en route to shooting 6-of-7 from the floor in the game's final period. The 25 points for Long set a new career-high for the sophomore from McMinnville, Ore.

"Kyle had a very solid game and showed what he is capable of," noted Stanger.

Long received scoring help from backcourt-mate Blair Wheadon, who poured in 11 points and three assists. Matt Schmidt and Tarance Glynn switched bench and starting roles for the first time this season, and both responded with double-figure scoring games. Coming off the bench for the first time this season, Schmidt registered 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three. Glynn received his first career start and answered with 11 points, for his fourth straight game with 10-plus points.

Western Oregon also was very strong on the glass, outrebounding Northwest Christian by 14. Myles again led WOU's effort on the glass, with 10 boards for his fourth double-figure rebound game of the season.

The Western Oregon men's team will now prepare to host Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference member, Colorado School of Mines, Saturday, Dec. 19th, at 7:00 p.m.