MONMOUTH, Ore. – Junior Janvier Alaby posted his best scoring effort of the season with 14 points to lead four players in double figures as the No. 3/5 Western Oregon men's basketball team soundly defeated neighboring Willamette University, 85-50, on Sunday afternoon at the New P.E. Building.
 
The Wolves improved to 11-0 on the year and 5-0 in Monmouth. Willamette fell to 2-7 on the season.
 
In addition to his scoring, Alaby had a four rebounds and a pair of steals in 16 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Tanner Omlid nearly had a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds, while also forcing four steals. Senior guard Jordan Wiley hit a trio of 3-point shots in his 11-point effort and senior Jordan Schriber went 4 for 4 from the field and hit two free throws for 10 points, his first double-digit performance of the season.
 
Western Oregon gained a 17-point advantage (41-24) at the halfway points as they shot 47.1 percent (16 of 34) including five 3-pointers. The Wolves defense held the Bearcats to 37.5 percent (6 of 16) efficiency and forced 13 first-half turnovers.
 
The Wolves offense was almost equally strong in the second half, shooting 45.5 percent from the field while hitting 14 of their 17 free-throw attempts as the outscored the Bearcats, 44-26, to finish with the final 35-point victory.
 
The WOU defense, which came into play Sunday in the middle of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference pack allowing 43.6 percent shooting to opponents, locked down over 40 minutes to hold Willamette to a season-low 29.2 percent performance (14 of 48).
 
Senior Andy Avgi tied Omlid with eight rebounds while dishing out two assists. Senior Julian Nichols posted nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Western Oregon dominated the painted area, to an advantage of 50 to 14 and outrebounded Willamette 46 to 32.
 
The Bearcats had three players – Alex Brown, Bridger Harlington and Brendon McCullough – each score seven points.

Western Oregon will compete next in their final non-conference game when they travel to Eugune on Tuesday, Dec. 29 to face the Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. The game is scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. with coverage on the Pac-12 Networks.