CWU Men’s Basketball fell to Western Oregon University (WOU) 89-59 at home Saturday night. The Wolves dominated from tip off to the buzzer, once again demonstrating why they’re leading the GNAC with a 17-1 GNAC and 25-1 overall record.

Saturday also marked Senior Night for the Wildcats. Among the recognized were Jerome Bryant, Austin Houtz, Fuquan Niles, Marc Rodgers, Jawan Stepney and Sage Woodruff. The seniors were cheered on by family, teammates and fans as they stood together at half court before the game began.

“God put me in a position here to play at [CWU] and I’m just happy to be here,” Niles said. “I don’t know if I consider myself a star, I just do my best to help my team win.”

Niles was named the Wildcats’ Star of the Game for his play in the paint following the contest, recording seven points and eight blocks in the loss.

After the first 20 minutes, the Wolves led the Wildcats 44-28 with the lead never changing. The largest lead for the Wolves would come in the second half when they eventually lead by 30 points.

The Wildcat’s struggle continued through the second half as WOU continued their onslaught of downtown strikes. With around ten minutes left in the game, the Wildcats found a rhythm and went on an 8-0 run to bring the score to 73-51, but the Wolves shut it down shortly after.

WOU regained control and began out-rebounding the Wildcats defensively.  The Wolves cruised to a 30-point victory and capitalized in every category, scoring more second-chance and fast-break points than the Wildcats and also showing a stronger bench. WOU scored 34 second-chance points off of rebounds, compared to CWU’s mere six.  

“At the end of the day, we lost to a very good team,” head coach Greg Sparling said. “There’s a reason they’re 25-1. They make you pay for every mistake you make.”

Freshman Khalil Shabazz lead the Wildcats in scoring with 20 points and three steals, while Jawan Stepney added 11 points of his own and Sage Woodruff added eight.

The loss brings the Wildcats record to 15-10 overall and 10-8 in the GNAC, tying them with Seattle Pacific University for fifth in the conference.

The tie is set to be broken Feb. 22 in Seattle as the Wildcats take on the Falcons in their second to last regular season performance.