Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Big Red Sports

Western's defense and offense have kept the Wolves close in nearly every game.

Going into last week's games against Central and Western Washington, the Western Oregon Wolves men's basketball team held a record of 11-10. The team has been led by Travis Kuhns and Brad Krichevsky on the outside while Liam Hughes and Adonal "Junior" Arrington battled teams inside the paint. Against the Washington teams, Arrington gave a strong performance allowing the Wolves to win one and keep Saturday's game against Central close.

Arrington and Kuhns boosted the Wolves on the offensive end and the team clamped down on a normally high-scoring Western Washington squad on the defensive side for an 83-71 win on Thursday, Feb. 7, in the Physical Education Building. Kuhns finished with 22 points and Arrington came off the bench to contribute 18 more. The Wolves never trailed in the game, partly due to Arrington in the first half who was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field for 14 points, Arrington finished with a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Mike McLaughlin (16) and Dane Johnson (10) also reached into double digit scoring for the Wolves against Western Washington. The Wolves improved to 12-8 overall and 4-6 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the Wolves played Central Washington, coming up just short in the end. Central Washington led for most of the game, but had to fend off a late surge by the Wolves to win 88-84. Central led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but the Wolves climbed back to within two points with 26 seconds left after a lay-in by Kuhns. After a Westerm foul, Central's Giovonne Woods hit one free throw, making the score 85-82. The Wolves got the ball back with 23 seconds left and a chance to tie the game. The Wolves opted to go for the quick two points but missed. Central got the rebound which forced the Wolves to foul again. Nate Jackson hit one of two free throws to give the Wildcats a four point lead. Arrington scored to make it a two-point game again. Central's Colton Monti was fouled and he nailed both of his free throw attempts with four seconds left to seal the game. Arrington had another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Wolves. Freshman Dane Johnson had 18 points and six assists, Kuhns added 14 points and Stanley Ratcliff had 13 points. The Wolves shot 60 percent from the field, but turned the ball over 25 times. The loss drops the Wolves to 12-9 for the season and to 4-7 in conference play.

The Wolves will now hit the road for away games at Montana State-Billings and Seattle University. After this road trek, Western will have just one more road trip when they travel to Alaska for the final games of the season on March 6 and 8. Montana State-Billings is up first on Thursday, Feb. 14, looking for their second win of the season. Seattle has won three in a row, after suffering through three consecutive losses that began with a set-back loss against the Wolves on Jan. 17. With wins this weekend the Wolves can continue their improvement over last season and climb out of the bottom of the GNAC standings. •

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