OLYMPIA, Wash. – Senior Devon Alexander scored 17 points, 12 in the second half, to lead five players in double figures to help No. 21 Western Oregon secure an 82-73 win over Fresno Pacific on Saturday evening in the GNAC/PacWest Conference Crossover.
 
Alexander's effort came on the same evening that sophomore Alex Roth fell a rebound shy of a double double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Julian Nichols scored seven of his 16 points from the free-throw line and pulled down six rebounds. Senior Jordan Wiley added 13 points and seven boards while Tanner Omlid pitched in with 12 points, four boards and three steals off the bench.
 
The Wolves improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 season, when WOU started with four consecutive wins.
 
WOU trailed the Sunbirds (0-2) by an 11-8 margin at the 12:28 mark of the opening half, but an 8-0 rally swung momentum to the Wolves. Freshman guard Kadeem Strickland had six of his eight points during the streak with a 3-point make and a bucket with a foul shot. FPU would close within two points with 5:52 on the clock, but the Wolves extended their halftime lead to 34-28.
 
Fresno Pacific tied the game at 34-34 and WOU responded with a 21-6 run over a five-minute stretch. Roth had a pair of triples while Omlid and Alexander both found close looks at the rim.
 
The Wolves, who led by as many as 15 points in the second half, saw their advantage sliced down to five with 1:24 to go. Alexander hit a jumper whereas free throws fell for Nichols and Wiley to close out the victory.
 
Western Oregon secured the battle on the boards 42-26, including 16 offensive rebounds that allowed 17 second-chance points. The Wolves forced 13 steals and 18 overall FPU turnovers.
 
The Sunbirds were led by Roger Paul with a game-high 19 points.
 
Western Oregon opens play in the Doubletree by Hilton D2 Shootout on Friday, Nov. 20 hosting Cal State Monterey Bay at 7 p.m. at the New P.E. Building.