MONMOUTH, Ore. – In a battle of the two teams that have combined to win each of the last four conference titles, the early-season battle between No. 15 Western Washington and defending GNAC champion Western Oregon did not disappoint.
The Vikings overcame a 9-point halftime deficit and rallied to force overtime, but were on the short end of a 96-88 double-overtime defeat against the Wolves Saturday night in the New PE Building.
WWU had its five-game winning streak snapped to record just its second defeat of the season, falling to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play. Western Oregon improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in league play.
The Vikings trailed by as many as 10 points early in the second half, but used a 20-5 run to turn a 37-27 deficit into a 47-42 lead. WWU was 7-for-11 from the floor during the run, with sophomore forward Luke Lovelady scoring 6 points, redshirt junior guard Micah Winn scoring 5 points and junior forward Trevor Jasinsky adding 4 points.
Western Oregon answered with a 17-5 run to grab a 59-52 lead with 6:02 remaining in regulation. The Vikings whittled away at the seven-point deficit, with Jasinsky hitting a key 3-pointer at the 4:12 mark to cut WOU’s lead to 61-60. The Wolves appeared to pull away, but Winn scored 8 consecutive points for the Vikings, including a go-ahead layup with 14 seconds remaining to give the Vikings a 70-68 lead.
With seven-seconds left in regulation, Darius Lubon drew a found and made both free throws to tie the game at 70-70 to send the game into overtime.
Western Oregon opened the first overtime period on a 8-2 run, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers, to build a six point lead at 78-72. But the Vikings wouldn’t go way, with senior guard Tyler Payne hitting a quick jump shot at the 1:32 mark and Jasinsky hitting a big 3-pointer with 48-seconds remaining to make it a one-point game, 78-77. With the Wolves leading 80-77, Jasinsky was fouled on a 3-pointer attempt with seven-seconds on the clock, and hit all three of his free throws to tie the game 80-80. Etan Collins had a good last look at a potential game winner for Western Oregon, but his 3-poitner was off the mark to force the second five-minute overtime period.
The Vikings held an 86-84 lead with 2:25 remaining in the second overtime, but Western Oregon closed out the game on a 12-2 run to secure the 96-88 double-overtime victory over the Vikings.
Jasinsky (Camas, WA) led all players with a game-high 27 points, shooting 7-for-18 from the field (4-for-12 3FG) and was 9-for-9 from the free throw line.
Lovelady (Tacoma, WA/Life Christian/Point Loma) recorded the Vikings first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Winn (Los Angeles, CA/Cerritos College) added 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting, with all his points coming after a scoreless first half.
Jaylyn Richardson led Western Oregon with 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting and Darius Lubom added 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting. WOU was 25-for-28 from the free throw line and overall shot 42.1% (32-for-76).
