MONMOUTH, Ore.— Using a 17-4 run midway through the second half, Western Oregon University stayed perfect on the season with a 97-86 win over Dixie State University to close out the final day of action at the Doubletree by Hilton DII Shootout inside the New P.E. Gymnasium on Saturday.

Holding a 45-36 edge at the break, Western Oregon's (4-0) offense continued to work at an efficient clip in the second half to generate as much as a 20-point lead with six minutes remaining.

Dixie State (2-3) made things interesting down the stretch by forcing turnovers and converting from the free throw line to pull within five (91-86) after a strong four-minute stretch.

Forced to win the game from the free throw line, WOU hit its last eight attempts from the stripe to preserve the win with four different players contributing to the cause.

The victory represents just the second time in WOU's NCAA DII era (since 2000) that the team opened a year with four wins. The first occurrence happened during the 2015-16 season when the team rattled off 11 straight wins to start the season.

The Wolves will return to action on Nov. 24 with a road match at Holy Names University. Opening tip is slated for 5 p.m. in Oakland, Calif.

Despite 12 lead changes and six ties early on, Dixie State maintained a slight lead through much of the first half with senior guard Trevor Hill piling in 14 points before the break. The Trailblazers gained its largest advantage on a 3-pointer by Brandon Simister at the 7:04 mark in the first half for a 30-25 spread.

Demetrius Trammell and Vince Boumann powered WOU's offense in the first half with Boumann making 5-of-6 from the field and Trammell providing a trio of clutch 3-pointers, including an off-balance shot to beat the shot clock and a deep make to tie the game at 30-30.

Tanner Omlid sparked the run in the second half with back-to-back stops against Hill, first with a steal that led to a fast-break layup by Riley Hawken and in the ensuing possession drawing a charge to force a turnover.

Trammell ended the night going 7-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-9 from 3-point range for a team-high 24 points. Hawken followed with 21 points and eight rebounds. Boumann and Omlid each posted 'double-doubles' for the Wolves with Omlid scoring 19 and grabbing a dozen rebounds and Boumann adding 15 points and 10 boards.

Hill led all players with 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field.

Eastern New Mexico defeated Azusa Pacific, 86-70, in the opening game on Saturday.
 
 
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