MONMOUTH, Ore. – Freshman guard Kadeem Strickland posted a career-high 17 points leading five players in double figures as the No. 3 Western Oregon men's basketball team defeated Corban University, 90-65, on Friday evening at the New P.E. Building.
 
The Wolves improved to 9-0 on the year, and 4-0 at home. Corban, a NAIA school based in Salem, played the game as an exhibition.
 
In addition to his career-best scoring output, Strickland had two assists, a rebound and a steal in 22 minutes on the floor. Two sophomores, Alex Roth and Tanner Omlid, each had 13 points shooting better than 50 percent for the night. Senior forward Andy Avgi had 10 points and seven rebounds while senior guard Devon Alexander chipped in 10 points with two rebounds and two steals.
 
"Offensively, I thought we played well the whole game," WOU head coach Jim Shaw said. "I thought we were pretty sluggish in the first half, especially defensively."
 
WOU gained seized advantage of a see-saw first half after a pair of 3-pointers from junior guard Janvier Alaby under the nine-minute mark. The Wolves needed eight makes from behind the arc to lead by nine, 46-37, at the half despite the visiting Warriors hitting on 16 of 26 shots (61.5) in the opening 20 minutes. Neither team attempted a free throw in the first half.
 
The Wolves defense was able to clamp down against Corban's offense in the second half, holding them to 36 percent (9 of 25), including just one triple connection. After the Warriors trimmed the lead down to two points, 50-48, WOU went on a decisive 16-0 rally that ultimately determined the game's outcome. Avgi began the rally with a layup and kept the Wolves' next possession alive with an offensive rebound. The extra look paid off when Roth knocked down a 3-pointer off an Avgi assist. Omlid played dual roles, scorer and facilitator, to close out the spurt. He cut to the basket on three separate trips for two close shots off the glass and a throw-down dunk. Omlid provided the pass for the rally-ending triple from Roth.
 
WOU's bench production – Strickland, Omlid and eight points from Alaby - shined Friday by outscoring the Warrior bench 43-6.
 
"I was really, really, really happy for our bench players tonight," Shaw added. "I thought those guys did a really good job."
 
Western Oregon shot a breakeven 50 percent for the game, including 40 percent from behind the arc with 12 total makes. Senior guard Julian Nichols had a game-high nine assists to go along with six points, five rebounds and two steals.
 
Warriors forward Cyrus Ward had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead four starters in double figures.
 
Western Oregon will next compete in a battle of unbeaten, when they play 14^th-ranked UC San Diego at RIMAC Arena in La Jolla, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 14. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.