BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western Oregon men's basketball team took care of business in a quick road trip, handling the MSUB Yellowjackets 81-65 on Thursday at Alterowitz Gym.
MSUB (7-6, 2-3 GNAC) jumped out to a quick lead at 5-0 to grab Western Oregon's (12-3, 5-1 GNAC) attention in the opening minutes. The Wolves responded with a run of their own, an 11-0 streak to take a six-point advantage.
The runs continued as the 'Jackets put together a 15-2 rally to follow while trailing by multiple possessions, reclaiming the lead at 20-14.
The game went into the half locked at 28-28 with both sides shooting below the 40 percent threshold. Western Oregon was 1-for-12 from 3-point range in the first half.
The second half painted a very different picture, however. Not only did both teams score at a higher clip, but the Wolves turned in a 53-point half to follow a 28-point performance to outscore the Yellowjackets by 16.
After making just one 3-pointer in the first half, WOU went 8-of-18 from deep, including three made 3-pointers from
Dalven Brushier and
Kaleb Warner.
Brushier led the Wolves with 19 points, 11 coming in the second half, on 8-of-13 shooting. It was the second game this season Brushier has paced the offensive attack for WOU.
Warner added on another 15 points and seven rebounds, leading the Wolves in boards and made 3-pointers in the game.
MSUB, despite improving their shooting from the field, had trouble taking care of the ball in the second half, giving up eight turnovers while picking up just three steals.
Western Oregon's five team blocks is their second-highest single-game total of the season and their highest total against a conference opponent this season.
Etan Collins and
Buster Souza each had two blocks in the game.
WOU finished with four players in double figures in scoring, also getting 11 points from Collins and
Brandell Evans who combined to shoot 8-of-15.
The Wolves return home for two games next week, hosting Saint Martin's and Seattle Pacific. Tipoff Jan. 17 in the first game of the week against the Saints is set for 7:30 p.m. at NPE Gym.
