Men's Basketball | 1/29/2010 12:34:54 AM

Box Score [Box score]

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Kolton Nelson connected on 11-of-12 shots and scored 25 points, but it was not enough as the road weary Wolves fell to the No. 2 team in the NCAA West Region, Western Washington, 112-78, Thursday (Jan. 28).

This was the first loss for the Western Oregon men's basketball team (9-9, 2-5 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) on its three-game road trip after sweeping the Alaska schools on the road last week. Meanwhile, No. 21 ranked Western Washington moved to 18-3 on the season and to 5-2 in the GNAC.

Derrick Webb scored 40 points and matched a GNAC-record with 10 treys to lead the Vikings to the win. He went 10-of-12 from three-point range and 13-of-16 overall, including connecting on six straight in the first half. He also added seven rebounds and four assists.

Despite the Vikings shooting 68-percent in the first half and holding a 13-point halftime lead the Wolves were able to cut their lead to eight on a three-pointer by Blair Wheadon with 15:30 remaining. However, the Vikings then answered with a 17-2 run, and they would never again let their lead drop below 21.

Nelson, who was receiving the first start of his career, scored 17 of his 25 points in the first half. He was 7-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line before the break to help the Wolves stay in the game. Matt Schmidt scored 15 points for his fourth straight game in double-figures. Rico Myles registered 14 points, 11 in the first half, and led the team with seven rebounds. Blair Wheadon had a team-best seven assists.

In addition to Webb's 40 points the Vikings also had four players score in double-figures, including Morris Anderson who had a double-double with 15 points and 14 assists.

WWU also tied a school-record with 17 three-pointers, as it shot 65-percent (17-of-26) from behind the line.

The Western Oregon men's basketball team will be on a bye this Saturday before continuing conference play at Saint Martin's Thursday, Feb. 4.