The Doug Lange Network 

January 13, 2019 

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ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Western Washington University men’s basketball team overcame a slow start and had four players reach double-figures in scoring that led the Vikings to a 73-65 victory over in-state rival Central Washington Saturday night in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action in Nicholson Pavilion.

 

WWU fell behind 8-0 to start the game, but rallied to take a 34-31 halftime lead, and build a double-digit lead in the second half before ending with the eight-point victory over the Wildcats.

 

The Vikings improved to 9-7 overall and evened its conference record at 3-3. CWU had its two-game win streak snapped falling to 8-6 overall and 2-4 in GNAC play.

 

Junior forward Trevor Jasinsky (Camas, WA) led the Vikings with 15 points, shooting 5-for-15 from the field and was 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Jasinsky added a game-high 8 rebounds.

 

Junior guard Tucker Eenigenburg (Bakersfield, CA/Bakersfield College) had the hot hand shooting, connecting on 4-of-7 shots and was 3-for-5 from 3-point range while scoring 13 points. Freshman Jalen Green (Renton, WA/Lindbergh) had a 12-point, 6 rebound performance and redshirt junior guard Leif Anderson (Bellingham, WA/Sehome) contributed 10 points and a career-high 5 assists.

 

The Wildcats were led by a game-high 18 points from Matt Poquette, who hit 6 of his 13 shots in 26 minutes of action. Jackson Price (14 points) and Gamaun Boykin (11 points) also reached double-digits in scoring.

 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

The Vikings shot 41.8% from the floor for the game (28-for-67), including 48.4 percent in the second half (15-for-31)…WWU was out-rebounded 42-37, but had held a 9-3 edge in steals…Western was 11-for-28 form 3-point range (39.3%), including 6-for-15 (40.0%) in the second half.

 

THE RUN THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE

Leading by three points at the half 34-31, the Vikings came out of the break on fire, scoring the first 7 points to take a 10-point lead at 41-31. Central climbed back into the game going on an 11-5 run to pull to within 2 points at the 13:23 mark in the second half. WWU answered with an 8-2 run to extend the lead to 8 points at 54-46. While leading 56-50, the Vikings all but put the game away with three consecutive 3-pointers, two by Tucker Eenigenburg, to take their largest lead of the game at 14 points at 65-51.

 

SLOW START, FAST FIRST HALF FINISH

The Vikings got off to a slow start, allowing the Wildcats to score the first 8 points of the game and trailed 10-2. But WWU went on a furious 16-4 run to gain a 4-point lead at 18-14. From there a back-and-forth affair ensued with four lead changes down the stretch. WWU extended its lead to 6 points at 34-28 following 5 consecutive points by Tucker Eenigenburg in the last minute of the half. CWU hit a last-second 3-pointer to pull to within 3 points at 34-31 heading into the break. Jalen Green (3-for-8 FG) and Trevor Jasinsky (2-for-7 FG) lead WWU, which shot 36.1 percent in the half (13-for-36, 5-for-13 3FG). CWU was led by 7 points from Jackson Price (3-for-3 FG), with the Wildcats shooting 46.7 percent in the half (14-for-30, 3-for-6 3FG).

 

ALL-TIME SERIES

WWU is 17-5 over the last 22 games in the series dating back to the 2009-10 season. CWU leads the all-time series 156-102.

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UP NEXT

The Vikings face a quick turnaround hosting Simon Fraser (7-7, 1-5 GNAC) on Tuesday in Carver Gym, with tip-off set for 7 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. WWU will then take on Montana State Billings on Thursday in Carver Gym to complete a stretch of four games in eight days. Tuesday’s game begins a stretch of four consecutive home games, and six of the next eight in Carver Gym. All GNAC games, home and road, will stream live and feature live statistical updates at GNAC.tv, with home games also streamed live on YouTube.

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-- @WWUHoops --