Box Score MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon men's basketball team utilized an impressive second half to dispatch the Concordia Cavaliers, 91-65, on Tuesday at NPE Gym.

The first half of Tuesday's rivalry game carried with it a series of runs that allowed both teams multi-possession leads. Concordia (6-7, 1-4 GNAC) jumped on offense early, leading by seven at 9-2 within the first several minutes. The Cavs also focused on drawing early fouls to put Western Oregon (11-3, 4-1 GNAC) at a distinct disadvantage. CU got into the bonus with over 11 minutes left to play in the first half.

The Wolves overcame that early deficit to tie the game at 16-16. Coming out of a timeout, WOU switched gears to pump out a 10-2 run and take their largest advantage of the first half, 26-18. Western Oregon shot 53.8 percent from the field in the first half and 50 percent from 3-point range. Despite the impressive start, these would be the low numbers of the night for the sharp-shooting Wolves.

Concordia was determined to push back, however, and were able to take a three-point lead with just over a minute left before the break. Concordia also shot well from the field in the opening half, going 13-for-23 from the floor as a team for 56.5 percent. Jarrett Gray and Dakota Ayala both had nine points in the half to lead the Cavaliers in scoring.

Coming out of the locker room leading by two at 38-36, Western Oregon lit up the floor with their best shooting half of the season. Shooting 65.4 percent from the floor and 75.0 percent from 3-point range in the second half, WOU dropped 53 of their points after the break.

"I thought the second half was much better," said Western Oregon assistant coach Patrick Frost. "We were able to turn the game around with our defense. I thought we shot with confidence and were able to change the tone with our rebounding."

The Wolves' defense additionally stepped up in the second half to quiet the Cavs' shooting. CU shot just 36.4 percent after the break and got more than four points from just one player, Elroi Butler, in the half.

Riley Hawken set a new career-high with 25 points in the game, missing just one field goal on an 8-for-9 night including 6-of-7 made 3-pointers. His 86 percent 3-point shooting tied him for fourth in Western's NCAA-era history for single-game shooting.

"Riley is playing at a really high level right now," added Frost. "We got good contributions from a lot of other guys tonight as well."

Despite leading by just two after the break, the Wolves out-scored Concordia 53-29 in the second half to run away with the victory.

Dalven Brushier had a big game off the bench, contributing 12 points, five rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes of work. He was one of six Wolves to score at least nine in the game.
WOU as a team shot 63.6 percent from 3-point range, the fourth-best single-game mark in WOU's NCAA era.

Western Oregon will immediately hit the road for a GNAC road game at Montana State Billings on Jan. 10.  Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. (MST) against the Yellowjackets. 

The Wolves will return home with a pair of games in Monmouth against Saint Martin's (Jan. 17) and Seattle Pacific (Jan. 19) meeting inside the New P.E. Gymnasium.