Nov. 24, 2007

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Tournament MVP Ira Graham (So., Fontana, CA) scored 20 points on 7-of-10 field-goal shooting as Western Washington University defeated Bloomfield College, N.J., 99-58, on Saturday in final-day action at the 10th annual Western Washington University Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Men's Basketball Classic on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, who improved to 4-1 with their fourth consecutive victory, also got 14 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting from guard Harold McAllister (So., Vancouver/Mountain View). It was the 12th consecutive Randall Classic triumph for Western.

Bloomfield, which fell to 2-2, was led by the 21 points of forward Barney Anderson. Guard Namdi Ahaneku added 10 points for the Deacons, who shot just 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the field, including 0-of-7 on 3-pointers.

The Vikings never trailed, leading by as much as 16 in the first half and holding a 41-31 lead at halftime. Western was still up by 10, 43-33, with under 17 minutes left, then blew the game open with 18 straight points, at one point forcing turnovers on four consecutive possessions.

Forward Steve Alford (Jr., Bakersfield/South) had 11 points for Western. The Vikings had a 50-38 edge in rebounds, with forward Calin Schell (Jr., Chelan) getting 12 and reserve center David Brittinen (Jr., Hoquiam) having 10 boards as well as 11 points.

Schell joined Graham on the all-tourney team, as did Anderson. Completing the team were center Rob Will and forward Rob Diederichs of Seattle Pacific, and center Greg George of Northwest. Seattle Pacific, which defeated Northwest, 99-69, earlier Saturday, shared the tourney championship with Western.

The Vikings entertain Walla Walla College on Saturday, Dec. 1 (6 p.m.).