ROHNERT PARK/ARCATA, Calif. – Following the second trip back to California this week, the Western Oregon University men's basketball team will have played five games in two weeks in The Golden State. After playing two games in Seaside last week, WOU will face Cal State East Bay on Friday starting at 5 p.m. and then host Sonoma State on Saturday at 4 p.m. as both games will be played in Rohnert Park hosted by Sonoma State. Then just a few days after the game against Sonoma State, WOU will travel to Arcata to face Humboldt State on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
WOU (0-2) came close to starting the season strong when they went into overtime with Cal State San Bernardino before the Coyotes claimed the 82-78 victory. The next day, WOU faced host Cal State Monterey Bay and the Otters took the 82-60 victory.
On the season, the Wolves average 69 points, making 50-135 (37) from the field, 10-44 (22.7) from three and 28-40 (70) from the foul line. Opponents average 82 points, making 70-159 (44) from the field, 14-40 (35) from three and 10-22 (45.5) from the foul line. WOU averages 39 rebounds, eight assists, nine steals and 3.5 blocks per game. Opponents bring down 53.5 rebounds, tally 15.5 assists, five steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
Cameron Crantson was named the GNAC Player of the Week after averaging 19.5 points, six rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks in 83 minutes last week. He connected on 12 field goals, five from long range and 10-12 at the foul line. Daisone Hughes averages 11.5 points, along with three assists and three steals. Yosani Clay averages 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. John Morrill-Keeler gives the Wolves four averaging in double-figures at 10 points per game. He adds 4.5 rebounds and is shooting 69.2 percent from the field (9-13).
Nationally, WOU ranks high in several categories including 47th in defensive rebounds per game and second in the GNAC (30), 75th nationally and leading the GNAC in blocked shots per game (3.5), 46th nationally and second in the GNAC in steals per game (9), 66th nationally and tops in the GNAC in total blocks (7), 80th nationally and second in the GNAC in total rebounds (78), 83rd nationally and second in the GNAC in total rebounds per game (39), 49th nationally and second in the GNAC in total steals (18).
Individually, Cranston is 94th nationally and fifth in the GNAC in free throws made (10), fifth nationally and leads the GNAC in minutes per game (41:17), 94th nationally and second in the GNAC in points per game (19.5), fourth in the GNAC in steals per game (2), fourth in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (2.50), fourth in the GNAC in three-point field goal percentage (35.7), and 68th nationally in total minutes (82:34). Elihu Cobb is 70th nationally and second in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1.50), and 72nd nationally and leads the GNAC in total blocks (3). Clay is fifth in the GNAC in defensive rebounds per game (5). Hughes is sixth in the GNAC in free throws made (9). RJ Veliz is fourth in the GNAC in steals per game (2), and fifth in the GNAC in total steals (4).
WOU will open the week on Friday against Cal State East Bay. The teams have played once since 2011 which was a 73-71 home win for the Wolves. The Pioneers are 0-2 so far this season falling to Fresno Pacific (83-72) and Point Loma (90-73). They will play Dominican (CA) this week before facing the Wolves.
So far this season, Cal State East Bay averages 72.5 points, connect on 55-142 (38.7) from the field, 21-53 (39.6) from three and 14-22 (63.6) from the foul line. Opponents average 86.5 points, make 59-114 (51.8) from the field, 23-55 (41.8) from three and 32-42 (76.2) from the foul line. WOU averages 31.5 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 7.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. Opponents grab 40.5 rebounds, 18.5 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.
Zack Perlstein leads the team averaging 11.5 points per game, along with five assists. Kaito Williams adds 11 points per game and three assists and steals. Zafir Williams adds 9.5 points per game and nine rebounds per contest.
The next day, WOU will face Sonoma State on Saturday. Since 2004, WOU is 2-1 against Sonoma State winning the past two meetings. The Wolves won in Monmouth during the 2007-08 season (80-76) and won the most recent meeting in 2008-09 at a neutral site in Arcata (79-62).
Sonoma State is 0-2 on the season having fallen to Dominican (CA) (70-56) and then in overtime to Academy of Art (78-74). They will face Alaska Fairbanks on Friday before playing the Wolves on Saturday.
On the season, the Seawolves average 65 points, making 42-105 (40) from the field, 14-41 (34.1) from three and 32-43 (74.4) from the foul line. Opponents average 74 points, make 57-120 (47.5) from the field, 12-38 (31.6) from three and 22-29 (75.9) from the foul line. Sonoma State grabs 24.5 rebounds, 14.5 assists, 9.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Opponents pull down 37 rebounds, 10 assists, 8.5 steals and two blocks per contest.
Michael Smith leads the team averaging 16 points, while Jeremy Lillis adds 14 points and Nick Klarman is at 11.5 points per game and five rebounds per game, along with five steals.
The Wolves close the trip on Tuesday at Humboldt State. WOU and Humboldt State have played 16 times since 2000 with the Lumberjacks holding a 9-7 advantage. The Wolves have won the past three matchups with two of those games coming in Monmouth including the last meeting in 2015-16 (82-65). The last meeting in Arcata was in 2008-09 with WOU taking the 85-76 victory.
Humboldt State is off to a strong start picking up two wins over GNAC opponents Western Washington (70-69) and Simon Fraser (63-59). The 'Jacks will play Lincoln (CA) on Saturday before welcoming WOU to Arcata on Tuesday night.
On the season, the 'Jacks average 66.5 points, make 54-126 (42.9) from the field, 10-30 (33.3) from three and 15-23 (65.2) from the foul line. Opponents average 64 points, making 44-110 (40) from the field, 16-47 (34) from three and 24-39 (61.5) from the foul line. Humboldt State averages 41.5 rebounds, nine assists, six steals and 1.5 blocks per game, while opponents pull down 33 rebounds, 14.5 assists, six steals and two blocks per game.
Jaden Edwards leads the team averaging 15.5 points and 12 rebounds. Will Johnson adds 10 points and 10 assists.
Live video and stats will be available for all three games.
For the first two games against Cal State Easy Bay and Sonoma State:
Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
To close the trip at Humboldt State: Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
