The Basics

• Final Score: No. 1/1Western Oregon 76, Simon Fraser 67
• Records: Western Oregon 22-2, 15-1; Simon Fraser 2-20, 1-15
• Wolves extended overall winning streak to season-high 13 games
• Location: Monmouth, Ore. – New P.E. Building

 
How It Happened
Four Western Oregon players notched double figures, led by Tanner Omlid with 17 points, as the host Wolves closed out their first weekend as the top-ranked team in Division II ranks with a 76-67 win over Simon Fraser on Saturday night at the New P.E. Building.
 
Western Oregon seized control of the first half with a 16-0 run that featured 12 straight points from Omlid. The string began with a 3-pointer that tied the game at 18-18.  In transition, Omlid beat the defense down the court for a slam dunk and followed it with another triple. His individual effort to get in the passing lane on the following SFU trip earned a steal and another slam dunk. WOU built the lead to 31-18 with a Nick Nestell layup and jumper from Julian Nichols.
 
The Wolves shot 54.8 percent (17-of-31) in the first half building a 46-30 advantage into the break.
 
Simon Fraser's squad did not back down in the second half, holding the Wolves to just 33.3 percent shooting. The Clan got 19 points combined from Michael Harper and Oshea Gairey, who closed the gap to five points with 3:03 to go. Free throws down the stretch increased the lead back to double figures before a late Harper 3-pointer sliced the lead down to eight.
 
Along with Omlid, three other Wolves scored in double-figures – Janvier Alaby with 12 points in his first start of the year, Nichols with 11 points (seven rebounds, five assists) and Jordan Wiley with 10.
 
 
Wolves' Top Performers

• Tanner Omlid paced the Wolves with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor.
• Janvier Alaby made his first start of the year and scored 12 points hitting 6-of-8 shots for the night.
• Julian Nichols had a solid all-around performance with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
• Jordan Wiley was the fourth WOU player in double figures with 10 points.
• Andy Avgi had eight points, nine rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot.

 
For the Clan

• Michael Harper led the Clan with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
• Oshea Gairey scored 17 points and had three assists off the bench.

 
Stats of the Game

• Western Oregon won the rebounding battle, 38-32, including 13-7 on the offensive glass.
• WOU took advantage of 11 SFU turnovers, converting them into 13 points.

 
Up Next
Western Oregon takes to the road next week beginning Thursday against Alaska at 7 p.m. Alaskan (8 p.m. Pacific) in Fairbanks.