Feb. 5, 2007

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BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

UPDATE: Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the Western Washington University men's basketball team plays two Great Northwest Athletic Conference games this week, traveling to second-place Saint Martin's on Thursday and entertaining Seattle U. on Saturday.

The Vikings are 9-9 overall and 3-5 in the GNAC after losing 82-68 at arch-rival Central Washington last Thursday. The had not lost three consecutive games since the end of the 2002-03 season and have not dropped four straight contests since a five-game losing stretch late in the 1998-99 campaign.

Western, which began the season with five wins in its first six games, has lost eight of its last 12 contests. The Vikings are 7-3 on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium and 2-6 on the road.

Saint Martin's, which has lost three of its last four games, is tied for second in the league standings at 6-3 and is 9-11 overall. The Saints, who won their first five GNAC contests, have lost their last 11 meetings with the Vikings, dating back to the 2000-01 season.

Seattle U., which entertains Western Oregon on Thursday, got off to a 9-3 start, matching its best beginning in 37 years, is 12-7 overall and 4-4 in league play. The Redhawks have dropped the last nine meetings with Western, including an 86-80 decision at Seattle on Jan. 11.

Senior forward Lukas Henne continues to lead Western in virtually every statistical category. He is averaging 18.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, shooting 52.8 percent (113-of-214) from the field and 89.9 percent (98-of-109) on free throws. Henne, who has scored 20 points or more in nine games, ranks second in the GNAC in both scoring and rebounding, is third in blocked shots and fourth in free throw percentage. Henne, who was battling the flu bug last week, failed to reach double figures for the first time this season, scoring just six points in the loss at Central.

Sophomore guard Ira Graham, who scored a team-high 20 points in the Wildcat contest, is averaging 15.6 points and a team-high 3.5 assists (8th in GNAC). Junior forward Brett Weisner is averaging 10.7 points in 11 games since returning to action following a torn ACL suffered last April.

Sophomore forward Calin Schell and freshman center Steve Severin have been regular starters. Schell is averaging 7.5 points and 6.2 rebounds. Severin posted his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds at Central. He is averaging 5.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots, ranking fourth in the GNAC in the latter category. Freshman guard Harold McAllister, who has started seven games, leads the GNAC in 3-point percentage at 52.0 percent (26-of-50). He is averaging 7.6 points and a team-high 1.1 steals. Freshman guard Brandon Williams, who also has made seven starts, is averaging 6.9 points.

The Vikings lead the GNAC in blocked shots (4.6 avg.) and are third in rebounding margin (plus 1.7), but are last in field-goal percentage (44.5).

Western coach Brad Jackson, in his 22nd season, has 407 career victories. That is four shy of the school record for wins by a coach in any sport. Current WWU director of athletics Lynda Goodrich posted 411 victories in 19 campaigns as the Vikings' women's basketball coach from 1971-90.

UPCOMING GAMES:

Feb. 8 (Thu.) at Saint Martin's University*# (Lacey), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 (Sat.) SEATTLE UNIVERSITY*# (CARVER GYM), 7 p.m.
Feb. 15 (Thu.) at University of Alaska Fairbanks* (Fairbanks, AK), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 (Sat.) at University of Alaska Anchorage*# (Anchorage, AK), 8 p.m.
Feb. 22 (Thu.) NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY* (CARVER GYM), 7 p.m.
Feb. 24 (Sat.) at Western Oregon University* (Monmouth, OR), 7 p.m.
Mar. 1 (Thu.) SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY*# (CARVER GYM), 7 p.m.
Mar. 3 (Sat.) SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY*# (CARVER GYM), 3 p.m.

Home games (all caps) on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium
#broadcast on KBAI Radio (930 AM) and via the internet at wwuvikings.com
*Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest

THREE-DOT NOTES: Two of Western's losses were to Top 25-ranked opponents at the first Great Western Shootout on Dec. 19-20. After a narrow 67-64 setback to No.22 Cal Poly Pomona, the host Vikings fell 86-67 to No.24 Cal State San Bernardino ... The Vikings, who are shooting 44.5 percent from the floor, have not shot below 46.4 percent from the field for a season since hitting 44.4 percent during the 1999-2000 campaign ... Western's home game with Pacific Lutheran on Nov. 28 was postponed because of winter weather conditions that forced closure of the school for two days. The contest will not be made up ... The last time Western did not score 100 points in a game during a season was 1983-84.

Henne was named MVP at the WWU Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic and was an all-tourney choice at the Seattle Pacific Tip-Off Classic. He also was a GNAC Player of the Week for Nov. 19-25 ... Graham was an all-tourney pick at both the Great Western Shootout and Randall Classic ... Just five letter winners and no starters return from last year's 23-7 Viking team that reached the championship game of the NCAA Division II West Regional. It was the first time that Western had made back-to-back appearances in the national tournament (reached regional semifinals in 2004-05). The Vikings, who placed second in the GNAC with a 13-5 record, had their second straight 20-win season and their fourth in the last six years.

COACH JACKSON:Brad Jackson is in his 22nd year and is the most successful men's coach in school history, both in total wins (407-233) and winning percentage (.636). He ranks No.19 among active NCAA II coaches in victories and 35th in winning percentage. In 2001, Jackson directed Western to a 27-4 record and the semifinals of the NCAA II National Championship, being named NABC/NCAA II West Region, Northwest small college and Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year. Five times named district/region Coach of the Year, Jackson has directed Western to 16 post-season playoff appearances, including district/region/conference championships and national tournament appearances in 1988, 1994, 2001, 2005 and 2006. He has had nine 20-win campaigns (1986-90, 1993-94, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2005-06).

RADIO BROADCASTS:Selected Western games are being broadcast this season on KBAI Radio (930 AM) with Doug Lange handling the play-by-play, and either Mark Scholten, Jason Stiles or Ervin Kuehbler providing the color commentary. They also can be heard on the internet at www.wwuvikings.com.

ON THE WEB: For up-to-date statistics, box scores of every game, records, stories, etc., see the Western Athletic web page at www.wwuvikings.com. Up-to-date league standings and statistics can be found on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web page at www.gnacsports.com.

PROBABLE WESTERN STARTERS & TOP RESERVES:

G Ira Graham, 6-1, *So., Fontana, CA/Fontana
G Brett Weisner, 6-5, **Jr., Spokane, WA/Shadle Park/Eastern Washington
C Steve Severin, 6-10, Fr., Richland, WA/Hanford
F Lukas Henne, 6-7, ***Sr., Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap
F Calin Schell, 6-7, *So., Chelan, WA/Chelan

G Harold McAllister, 6-0, Fr., Vancouver, WA/Mountain View
G Brandon Williams, 6-4, Fr., Chicago, IL/Thornton Fractional North
F Gabe Thrash, 6-8, Fr., Gardena, CA/Gardena
*letters

OPPONENT SKETCHES:

SAINT MARTIN'S UNIVERSITY: The Saints (9-11 overall, 6-3 league, 6-1 home, 3-10 road), who are tied for second in the GNAC standings, were picked to place sixth in the preseason coaches poll after placing 10th last year (7-20, 2-16). They have lost three of their last four contests following a seven-gane winning streak. Five returnees start for coach Keith Cooper (4th season, 33-68), led by 5-10 sophomore guard Jake Linton (18.3 ppg-4th GNAC, 4.8 apg-4th GNAC), 6-5 junior forward Brendan Campbell (15.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg-2nd GNAC), 6-5 senior forward Stephon Harris (11.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and 6-1 senior guard Greg O'Neal (9.4 ppg). Rounding out the first five is 6-9 senior center Trevor Dunstan (5.9 ppg). Two other returnees making solid contributions are 6-5 sophomore forward Tyler Nixon (5.7 ppg) and 6-1 senior guard Joe Chirhart (3.6 ppg). Western, which leads the series, 114-56, has won 11 straight series meetings since the Saints' last victory in the 2000-01 season. The Vikings won both meetings last year, 91-78 at Lacey and 87-86 at Bellingham.

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY: The Redhawks (12-7 overall, 4-4 GNAC, 5-3 home, 7-4 road, Feb. 8 host Western Oregon), who matched their best start in 37 years with nine wins in their first 12 games, placed seventh (16-11, 9-9) in GNAC last season and were picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll. They were ranked in the NABC/NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25 for five weeks early this season, topping off at No.13. Coach Joe Callero (6th year, 70-86; overall 8 years 92-111) has five solid returnees in 6-0 senior guard Sam Kirby (14.6 ppg, 40.9 3-pt. pct., 47-115), 6-8 sophomore forward Leigh Swanson (12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-11 senior center David White (9.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg-4th GNAC, 56.5 FG Pct.-4th GNAC, 1.7 bpg-3rd GNAC), 6-1 senior guard Ryan Webb (9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 7.1 apg-2nd GNAC, 2.0 spg-2nd GNAC) and 6-8 junior forward Ryan Coldren (7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Two top newcomers are freshmen - 6-5 forward Mike Boxley (3.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and 6-3 guard Ricky Berry (5.8 ppg). Western holds a 48-28 series advantage, winning the last nine meetings, including an 86-80 victory at Seattle on Jan. 11.

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS: The Nanooks (15-8 overall, 6-3 league, 9-5 home, 6-3 road, Feb. 7 at Alaska Anchorage), who have won their last four games, tied for fourth place in the GNAC last season (17-10, 10-8) and were picked to place seventh in the preseason coaches poll. They have qualified for the NCAA tournament in three of the last four seasons, twice sharing the GNAC title. One starter returns for coach Frank Ostanik (3rd year, 42-21) - 6-3 junior guard Kenny Barker (16.0ppg, 6.4 rpg). Another top returnee is 6-2 junior guard Mike Titus (10.1 ppg), who scored the game winner against the Redhawks. Three talented transfers complete the starting five. They are 6-5 senior forward Jushay Rockett (20.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg) from NCAA I Texas State University, 5-9 junior guard Barry Barnes (8.5 ppg, 5.1 apg) from Long Beach City College and 6-8 sophomore center Colin Matteson (7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg) from Edmonds CC. UAF is tied for the league lead in scoring offense, averaging 78.5 points per game. Western leads the series 13-7, losing 73-64 at Bellingham on Jan. 27.

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE: The Seawolves (14-6 overall, 5-4 GNAC, 10-4 home, 4-2 road, Feb. 7 host Alaska Fairbanks, Feb. 10 at Northwest Nazarene, Feb. 15 host Seattle U.) tied for fourth in the GNAC last year (19-12, 10-8) and were picked to place third in the preseason coaches poll. Two starters return for coach Rusty Osborne (3rd year, 44-34) - 6-0 junior guard Luke Cooper (6.5 ppg, 8.3 apg - 2nd nationally, Eltham, Australia), who has led the GNAC in assists the last two years, and 6-6 junior center Carl Arts (13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg). Another top returnee is 6-2 senior guard Eric Draper (15.7 ppg). Five talented newcomers have been seeing plenty of action. They are 6-7 sophomore forward Ivan Platenik (9.3 ppg), like Cooper from Australia, 6-5 junior forward Allen McFarland (3.4 ppg), who played at Salt Lake CC and NCAA I Western Illinois University, 6-5 freshman forward Trenton Millar (5.8 ppg), a two-time Alaska all-state pick, 6-8 junior center McCade Olsen (12.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), a two-time Region IX pick at Eastern Wyoming College who led the region in scoring last season with a 21.7 points per game average, and 6-3 senior guard Buddy Bailey (6.4 ppg), who played three seasons at NAIA Cal Baptist University. UAA ranks fourth nationally in field goal percentage (51.8), and ninth in both scoring margin (15.0) and free throw accuracy (76.1). The series is tied at 6-6 with UAA winning the last meeting, 92-72, at Bellingham on Jan. 25.

GAME SUMMARY:

Feb. 1 - Central Washington 82, WESTERN 68 at Ellensburg

Forward Lance Den Boer scored a game-high 37 points as Central Washington defeated Western, 82-68, in a GNAC game at Nicholson Pavilion. Graham led Western with 20 points. Central improved to 9-10 overall and 4-4 in the GNAC with its second straight victory. Den Boer was 10-of-18 from the field, including 5-of-8 on 3-pointers, and hit 12-of-13 free throws. Western trailed nearly the entire first half and was down 39-33 early in the second half before putting together a 12-2 run and taking a 45-41 lead on a Graham steal and dunk with 14:30 to play. The Vikings still had a 55-54 lead with 11:40 to play, but the Wildcats ran off nine straight points, five of them by Den Boer, to take a 63-55 advantage with 9:30 left and led the rest of the way. Western was still within seven, 73-66, on two free throws with 2:03 to go by McAllister, but Central scored the next nine points to put the game out of reach. Severin posted his second double-double of the season, having 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for Western, and McAllister added 10 points. Henne, one of a number of Vikings battling a flu bug, finished with six points, the first time this season he did not reach double figures. Center Bryan Freshwater and forward Grant Assink each had 14 points for the Wildcats, who shot 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field, including 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) on 3-pointers. Central opened the game by taking an 18-6 lead 6:35 into the contest, and held a 36-33 lead at halftime.