MONMOUTH, Ore. --- The Western Oregon men's basketball team fought off a pesky Linfield squad for an 80-71 victory Tuesday night at New PE Building.

The Wildcats (1-3) took a 59-57 lead with 8:51 left before a Mekhi McIntyre jumper and a Kris Cook 3-pointer gave the Wolves (3-3) a 62-59 advantage and WOU wouldn't trail again.

However, LU tied the game at 64-64 with 5:46 remaining before a Jason Gallant jumper ignited a 12-2 run for the Wolves capped by a Cameron Benzel bucket with 1:05 left gave WOU a 76-66 lead and held on for the win.

Five WOU players finished in double figures with reigning GNAC Player of the Week Qiant Myers putting up another big night with 19 points, 10 assists and five steals. Benzel filled the stat sheet as he had 18 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Cook had 15 points (going 3-for-5 from 3-point range) to go along with two blocks and two steals, Gallant had 12 points and McIntyre added 11 points.

WOU shot 57.1 percent from the field, but was just 5-for-20 (25 percent) from 3-point range while the Wildcats stayed in the game with the 3, going 12-for-25 (48 percent) from long distance.

WOU is off until it starts GNAC play 5:15 p.m. Nov. 30 against Central Washington.