MONMOUTH, Ore. --- The Western Oregon men's basketball team opened GNAC play with a 81-67 loss Thursday night at New PE Building.
 
The Wolves (3-4 overall, 0-1 GNAC) dug themselves an early 16-4 deficit to start the contest and never would lead, but they would get within striking distance of the Wildcats in the second half (5-2, 1-0).
 
Down 41-31 at the half, the Wolves crawled back into the contest and with 5:32 remaining cut the lead to five at 63-58 after a Qiant Myers bucket.
 
However, that's as close as WOU would get as the Wildcats pushed the lead back to double figures 90 seconds later.
 
Myers led the Wolves with 21 points while Jason Gallant added 16.
 
WOU returns to action 2 p.m. Saturday against Northwest Nazarene back in Monmouth.