MONMOUTH, Ore. – It was certainly a strong start to the conference season for the Western Oregon University men's basketball team this past week when they picked up a pair of wins over Alaska and Alaska Anchorage at home. The Wolves continue the homestand this week facing Corban in non-conference action this Saturday starting at 4:15 p.m. inside New PE Gym.
WOU (3-6) dominated the Nanooks to open the conference slate last week rolling to the 99-74 victory. Then to close the week, the Wolves were able to hold off a rally by the Seawolves to take the 80-71 victory to sweep the week.
Cameron Cranston earned his second GNAC Player of the Week honor this past Monday for his strong play in the wins.
The game this week against Corban will be the final game of 2021 as the Wolves will open 2022 playing on New Year's Day at Saint Martin's.
After just one week of conference play, WOU is alone in first place at 2-0. Simon Fraser is the only other undefeated team sitting at 1-0. The two wins this week moves the home winning streak to seven for the Wolves as during that time, four of the wins were against the Alaska schools.
On the season, WOU averages 73.1 points per game, making 249-569 (43.8) from the field, 89-238 (37.4) from three and 71-97 (73.2) from the foul line. The Wolves also average 34.4 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. Opponents average 76 points per game, making 265-588 (45.1) from the field, 65-190 (34.2) from three and 89-125 (71.2) at the foul line. Opponents also average 39.4 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Cranston leads the team in points per game (17.7), rebounds (5.8), assists (24), steals (14), field goals (55), three-pointers (26), free throws (23) and is second on the team in blocks with nine. John Morrill-Keeler averages 9.7 points per game, along with 5.1 rebounds and is shooting over 63 percent from the field. Yosani Clay is right behind averaging 9.4 points per game, along with 20 assists (second on the team), and is third on the team with 16 three-pointers. Elihu Cobb adds 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, along with a team-high 11 blocks and is shooting 70 percent from the field. Tyreek Price and Daisone Hughes each average over seven points per game with Price at 7.6 and Hughes at 7.4. Price is second on the team with 18 three-pointers and Hughes is third on the team with 15 assists.
WOU ranks high nationally and in the top-three in the GNAC in several categories including 88th nationally and third in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (3.4), 90th nationally in free throw percentage (73.2), 41st nationally and second in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (9.9), 67th nationally in three-point field goal percentage (37.4), 19th nationally and second in the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (89), 49th nationally in total assists (127), 46th nationally and second in the GNAC in total blocks (31), 62nd nationally in total rebounds (310) and 92nd nationally in total steals (60).
Individually, Cranston is 45th nationally and third in the GNAC in minutes played per game (35:33), 66th nationally and third in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (2.89), 48th nationally and second in the GNAC in three-point field goal percentage (44.1), 31st nationally and leading the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (26), 66th nationally in total field goals made (55), 16th nationally and second in the GNAC in total minutes played (319:56), 44th nationally and second in the GNAC in total points (159). Cranston is also top-three in the GNAC coming in third in points per game (17.7). Cobb is 60th nationally and third in the GNAC in total blocks (11) and is third in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1.22).
WOU has gone 8-3 in the series with Corban since 2000 winning the past eight regular season games. The teams last played during the 2018 season with WOU taking the 88-66 win in Monmouth. The Wolves have won the past four meetings in Monmouth.
Corban is 6-5 on the season splitting their road games this past week against Warner Pacific and Multnomah. The Warriors picked up the 12-point win at Warner Pacific and then lost by four at Multnomah.
On the season, Corban is averaging 76 points, making 326-681 (47.9) from the field, 89-236 (37.7) from three and 95-142 (66.9) from the foul line. The Warriors also average 34.5 rebounds, 12.3 assists, eight steals and two blocks. Opponents average 66.9 points, making 268-596 (45) from the field, 77-223 (34.5) from three and 121-183 (66.1) at the foul line. Opponents also average 33.5 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.5 blocks.
Jordan Newt leads the Warriors averaging 12.4 points per game, along with 19 assists and 12 steals. Kendall Moore adds 10.8 points per game and 25 assists. Darius Henderson rounds out the top-three in scoring at 9.3 points per game, along with 4.7 rebounds and seven steals.
After the home game against Corban, WOU will be on the road for three straight starting with the New Year's Day game at Saint Martin's. They will then play at Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific before returning home on Jan. 13 against Simon Fraser.
Live video and stats will be available for the home game against Corban. Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Also, please see the press release found here on updated fan policy for WOU indoor athletic events that went into effect Nov. 15.
