MONMOUTH, Ore. --- A Western Oregon men's basketball team that suited just seven due to numerous injuries gave first-place Montana State Billings a run for its money, but the Wolves fell short 69-60 Saturday night at NPE Building.

WOU (4-11 overall, 1-6 GNAC) stayed within striking distance of the Yellowjackets (13-5, 7-1) for much of the second half - trailing just 63-57 with 1:04 left in the contest after a bucket by Cameron Benzel on an alley oop from Jason Gallant.

But MSUB would go 6-for-6 from the line in the final minute to pull away from the Wolves.

The Wolves led for more than five minutes of the first half - taking its biggest lead when Benzel nailed a jumper at the 3-minute mark to make it 29-23 WOU. However, the Yellowjackets ended the half on a 10-2 run, including scoring in the final seconds to take a 33-31 lead at the half.

Benzel paced WOU with 21 points - going 10-for-16 from the field - while adding four rebounds. Kris Cook filled up the stat sheet with 20 points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Peter-Kace Gwananji added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Wolves return to action Thursday at Alaska Anchorage.