LANGLEY, B.C. --- The Western Oregon men's basketball team lost its season opener to No. 5 Dallas Baptist 90-75 Friday at the Langley Events Centre in game one the of the CCA D-II Canadian Tip-Off Classic.

The Wolves (0-1 overall) fell behind the Patriots (1-0) early in the first half before an Anjay Cortez layup would jump-start the Wolves offense. After starting down 16 points, WOU entered halftime down only four. The Wolves tied the game three separate times in the second half - the first coming thanks to a basket by Jason Gallant. WOU battled throughout the second half - staying within a 10-point margin of the fifth-ranked 2023 Lone Star Conference East Division Champions until late - but were unable to hold on.

True freshman Mario Williams Jr. ended the game with 17 points and was 5-for-6 from the line while Cortez finished just shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds alongside two steals. Makaio Morphy had 13 points and eight rebounds. Gallant had 12 points and two steals. Brady Grier and Zach Moore each had a pair of blocks in the game, with Grier adding nine points and eight rebounds. 

The Wolves continue action 12:45 p.m. Saturday as they take on Hawaii at Hilo for game two of the CAA Canadian Tip-Off Classic in Langley, B.C.