Men's Basketball | 11/19/2011 7:27:00 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Blair Wheadon hit a layup with 49 seconds remaining to cap off a 6-0 run by the Wolves to end the game and lead Western Oregon to a 60-58 upset of No. 16 Augustana on Saturday, Nov. 19th.

For the second night in a row Western Oregon had to fight to the end in a game that included 11 lead changes and seven ties in the second half. Both teams traded punches back-and-forth throughout the night. But in the end it was the Wolves and Wheadon that delivered the final blow.  Following a WOU timeout, Wheadon went strong to the hoop and finished over two defenders on the right side of the hoop to give Western Oregon the 60-58 lead.

The Wolves then let their defense shine in the final 48 seconds. They forced the Vikings into three missed shots in that final sequence of play, including a layup attempt by Cody Schilling at the buzzer that fell off the rim.

"It was another grinder that took all 40 minutes to get it done," said Western Oregon head coach Brady Bergeson. "Tonight was about conditioning and we were able to stay disciplined and wear them down bit by bit and it manifested itself in the final minute of the game."

Wheadon led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting. The Wolves also got 10 points apiece from Kyle Long and Jordan Freelander. Long and Brandon Troxel each grabbed seven boards to lead the team in that category.

"We have guys with good character and they are starting to figure that out," Bergeson explained. "They are tough physically and mentally, and we have the ability to do this."

Western Oregon found themselves down 28-14 in the first quarter but put on a 14-0 spurt to tie that game at 28 going into the half. Kyle Long got the run started with a layup then Jamaal Veal connected on both of his charity stripe shots.  It was then time for the senior guard duo of Wheadon and Long. The two worked together to cap off the 14 -0 run, as Long scored four points and Wheadon had six points including the final layup to knot the game at 28 right before the half.

In the second period, neither team led by more than five points. Western Oregon tied the game five times and took the lead on six occasions but it would take that final 6-0 run to secure the win.

Western Oregon will now take the holiday break to get ready for their third and final tournament of the season, as gear up to face Corban (Nov. 25th) and Willamette or Montana Tech (Nov. 26th) during the Capital City Classic.