MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Western Oregon men's basketball team used a strong finish to pull away from Western Washington for a 74-68 win Saturday night at Wolves Athletic Center.

After a game that featured 23 lead changes and 12 ties, WOU (7-9, 2-5 GNAC) finally created separation in the final five minutes. The Wolves turned a one-point deficit into a six-point advantage behind a steady diet of paint touches and free throws, closing the game on a 13-4 run after Western Washington (8-11, 2-6 GNAC) tied it at 61 with 4:28 remaining.

Jadin Penigar gave WOU the lead for good with a pair of free throws at the 3:46 mark, and the Wolves followed with baskets from Noah Ogoli and Braydon Olson to push the margin to five. Western Oregon iced the game at the line, going 6-for-6 on free throws over the final 27 seconds.

The Wolves led 38-37 at halftime after shooting 43.3 percent from the field in the opening half. WOU shot even better after the break, finishing at 47.8 percent in the second half and 45.3 percent overall. Western Oregon also held a 25-6 advantage in bench points and finished with 19 points off turnovers.

Penigar and Olson scored 15 points apiece to lead WOU. Carson Frincke added 12 points while knocking down four 3-pointers, and AB Gilchrist chipped in 11 points. Ogoli finished with 10 points and four assists.

Western Oregon plays next at Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday.