[Box score]
MONMOUTH, Ore. - Five Wolves scored in double-figures as the Western Oregon University men's basketball program used a complete team effort to defeat Notre Dame de Namur 84-70, Friday (Nov. 20), at the WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout.
This was the third-straight season-opening win for the Wolves and it dropped the Argonauts to 1-1 on the young season.
Sophomore guard Kyle Long led WOU with 15 points and freshman wing Josh Johnson added 13 as both players went 6-of-12 from the field. The Wolves also received double-digit scoring efforts from Mike McLaughlin (12), Tarance Glynn (12) and Rico Myles (10) while Blair Wheadon and Mike Schmidt each chipped in with nine.
"We just try to get the ball to someone in a position to score," said WOU head coach Craig Stanger. "Our players know that they have to play together to have success. This year we have a variety of options which can score and we are going to have to rely on that."
Western Oregon was able to hoist up 25 more shots in the game thanks to their defense and rebounding. WOU dominated on the offensive glass, grabbing 20 rebounds to NDNU's seven. It also pressured the Argonauts into 24 turnovers (compared to 15 for WOU) with 15 coming via the steal.
"We want teams to have to prepare for things they don't normally see," continued coach Stanger.
Notre Dame de Namur scored two of the first three baskets of the game to take a 5-2 lead but WOU then put on a 16-2 run to take a lead which it would never relinquish. The Wolves would go up by as many as 14 in the first half and would take a 44-36 lead into the half.
The Argonauts came out of the locker room and scored the first three points to cut the Wolves' lead to five points at 44-39 but WOU put on a 7-0 spurt push their lead to 12. The five point deficit was the closest NDNU would get the rest of the game.
Western Oregon will now face Hawaii Hilo at 7:30 p.m., on the second day of the WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout.
"We are going have to play better than tonight if we want to beat Hawaii Hilo," noted Stanger. "They are a much quicker team and will be ready to go."
Notre Dame de Namur will also continue play in the WOU/Phoenix Inn D2 Shootout tomorrow (Nov. 21) as it faces Saint Martin's at 5:15 p.m.