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MONMOUTH, Ore.—Opening up the regular season at home for the first time since 2012, the Western Oregon University men's basketball team will host the GNAC/PacWest Challenge Nov. 10-11.
Joining the Wolves in action for four games over two days will by fellow GNAC foe Saint Martin's University and the California teams of Pont Loma University and Fresno Pacific University.
GNAC/PACWEST CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 10
5 pm - Saint Martin's vs. Fresno Pacific
7:30 pm – Western Oregon vs. Point Loma
Saturday, Nov. 11
5 pm – Saint Martin's vs. Point Loma
7:30 pm – Western Oregon vs. Fresno Pacific
TICKETS
Single-day tickets are available for purchase at the door and online for $10. In addition, a tournament combination pass that includes four women's basketball games from the Hampton Inn DII Shootout on Nov. 11-12 is available for $25. In total, eight basketball games will be played inside the New P.E. Building this week.
ABOUT FRESNO PACIFIC (0-0)
Fresno Pacific was picked to finish in 11th place out of 14 teams in the PacWest according to the coaches' preseason poll… The Sunbirds closed out last season with a 7-20 overall record and a 7-13 mark in conference play… FPU will have nine newcomers to the team this year and five returners, including center Oliver Herting (6.5 ppg).
ABOUT POINT LOMA (1-1)
Point Loma picked up two first-place votes and was picked to place third in the PacWest this season… PLU went 17-13 overall and 11-9 in conference play last season… The Sea Lions finished with a led by junior guard Josh Rodriguez, a preseason All-PacWest honoree… PLU will enter the week with a 1-1 record this season after a 62-53 win versus St. Leo (Fla.) and a 67-64 loss to Jefferson (Pa.).
ABOUT SAINT MARTIN'S (0-0)
The Saints were picked to place sixth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll after tying for fourth place in the league standings a year ago… SMU returns two starters in guard Rhett Baerlocher (7.7 ppg) and guard/forward Jordan Kitchen (8.8 ppg)… The Saints finished last season with a 17-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in GNAC competition.
ABOUT WESTERN OREGON (0-0)
The Wolves were picked to place second in the GNAC in the league's preseason poll after taking third a year ago… WOU returns three starters in guard
Ali Faruq-Bey (15.0 ppg) and forwards
Tanner Omlid (15.6 ppg) and
JJ Chirnside (7.0 ppg)... Omlid, the GNAC's Defensive Player of the Year last season, was chosen by the leagues' coaches as the Preseason Player of the Year… WOU went 18-13 overall and 13-7 in the GNAC last season.
