NAMPA, Idaho/ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- After getting in one conference game back on Jan. 6 in Montana, the Western Oregon University men's basketball team returns to action this week on the road at Northwest Nazarene on Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) and then at Central Washington on Saturday at 6:15 p.m.

WOU (3-8, 2-1 GNAC) played a close road game against Montana State Billings last time out with the Yellowjackets hanging on for the 77-71 victory. Cameron Cranston put together a career day scoring a career-high 35 points and tied the program record for three-pointers in a single game with nine. In the process, he was named GNAC Player of the Week for the third time this season.

On the season, the Wolves are averaging 73.3 points, making 301-675 (44.6) from the field, 112-294 (38.1) from three and 92-132 (69.7) at the foul line. WOU also averages 32.9 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.2 blocks per game. Opponents average 76.5 points per game, making 326-706 (46.2) from the field, 79-226 (35) from three and 110-152 (72.4) at the foul line. Opponents also average 38.7 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.

Cranston leads the Wolves in almost every category including points per game (18.8), field goals (73), minutes per game (36.1), three-pointers (36), free throws (25), assists (28) and steals (17). He also adds 5.4 rebounds per game (second on the team) and 11 blocks which is also good for second on the team. John Morrill-Keeler is second on the team in points per game at 10.4 and leads the team in rebounds per game at 5.5. He is shooting over 62 percent from the field (47-75). Yosani Clay is third on the team in scoring at 9.4 points and adds 22 assists. Tyreek Price is at 7.5 points, connecting on 22 three-pointers (second on the team). Daisone Hughes adds 7.5 points per game and 25 assists, along with 11 steals. Elihu Cobb is just short of seven points per game sitting at 6.9 and leads the team in blocks with 12 while shooting 67.9 percent (36-53) from the field.

WOU ranks high nationally in several categories including 89^th in assists per game (14.8), 21^st in fewest fouls (162), 50^th in fewest turnovers (147), 24^th and second in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (10.2), 40^th in three-point field goal percentage (38.1), 92^nd and third in the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (112).

Individually, Cranston is fifth in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1), ninth in field goal percentage (48), 31^st nationally and second in the GNAC in minutes per game (36:06), 63^rd nationally and second in the GNAC in points per game (18.8), eighth in the GNAC in steals per game (1.5), 27^th nationally and third in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (3.27), 14^th nationally and second in the GNAC in three-point field goal percentage (48), 77^th nationally and third in the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (36), sixth in the GNAC in total blocks (11), fourth in the GNAC in total field goals made (73) and third in the GNAC in total points (207). Cobb is fourth in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1.09) and fifth in the GNAC in total blocks (12). Price is ninth in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (2).

First up will be a meeting with Northwest Nazarene. The Nighthawks were able to play one game this past week in Alaska claiming the 77-69 win over Alaska Fairbanks. Their second game of the trip at Alaska Anchorage was postponed. Before that game, NNU hosted Central Washington with the Wildcats taking the 89-76 win in Nampa.

Five players average in double-figures in scoring for the Nighthawks. James Nelson leads the team averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds per game, but has only played one game this season. George Reidy is at 13.1 points and 4.2 rebounds, along with 12 steals. Gabriel Murphy adds 11.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. Christian Rose tallies 11 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Tru Allen rounds out the group averaging over 10 points a game sitting at 10.1.

Northwest Nazarene averages 72.7 points per game, making 226-566 (39.9) from the field, 59-198 (29.8) from three and 143-200 (71.5) from the foul line. The Nighthawks also average 40.4 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.0 blocks per game. Opponents average 74 points per game, making 237-587 (40.4) from the field, 72-210 (34.3) from three and 120-141 (85.1) at the foul line. Opponents also average 39.4 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 7.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per game.

Since 2001, the teams have split their 40 meetings going 20-20. Northwest Nazarene won both meetings in 2019-20 including an overtime win in Nampa and a five-point win in Monmouth. The season before that in 2018-19, the teams split the meetings with WOU claiming the 15-point win in Monmouth. NNU is 13-7 at home during that stretch.

To close the trip, WOU will travel to Ellensburg to face Central Washington. The Wildcats are 8-3 overall and 2-2 in GNAC play, going 3-0 at home this season. Last time out, CWU went overtime with the Nanooks in Fairbanks before Alaska claimed the 97-95 victory. The last home game for the Wildcats was on Dec. 20 against Bushnell in which CWU took the 107-88 victory.

Four players average in double-figures in scoring for the Wildcats led by Xavier Smith's 18.1 points per game, along with 4.3 rebounds. David Thompson is at 16.6 points and 3.4 rebounds, along with 31 assists. Marqus Gilson adds 13.5 points and 5.7 rebounds and Matt Poquette tallies 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.

On the season, CWU averages 82.9 points, making 342-734 (46.6) from the field, 68-204 (33.3) from three and 160-204 (78.4) at the foul line. The Wildcats also average 37.1 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. Opponents average 76.2 points, making 321-703 (45.7) from the field, 77-257 (30) from three and 119-161 (73.9) at the foul line. Opponents also average 36.7 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 5.6 steals and 3.8 blocks.

WOU has also split their 40 meetings with the Wildcats since 2001 with the teams going 20-20. The Wolves have won the last nine meetings in the series after winning both games in 2019-20 by 27 points. The last win in the series for CWU was during the 2015-16 taking the 81-77 win in Ellensburg. The Wildcats are 13-7 at home during that stretch.

For live video and stats for the game at Northwest Nazarene: Click here for video and click here for stats.

For live video and stats for the game at Central Washington: Click here for video and click here for stats.