Box Score

ELLENSBURG (Feb. 28) -- Four Central Washington University players scored in double figures, and the Wildcats' five men's basketball starters combined for 92 points in their 107-87 victory over visiting Western Oregon on Thursday night at Nicholson Pavilion.

With the win, CWU (14-11, 8-9 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) clinched the final berth into the GNAC Tournament, which begins next Thursday (Mar. 7) in Lacey. The Wildcats' seeding and quarterfinal round opponent won't be determined until after Saturday's regular-season finale at home against Saint Martin's University, which is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Guards Mark McLaughlin (Jr., Bothell/Inglemoor HS) and Jordan Coby (Sr., Tacoma/Woodrow Wilson HS) scored 29 and 23 points, respectively, while junior Dom Williams (Tacoma/Curtis HS) and senior Brandon Magee (Spanaway/Bethel HS) added 19 and 13 for the Wildcats, who improved to 24-3 all-time at home against Western Oregon (10-15, 5-12 GNAC).

In a high-paced game, CWU was playing from behind for most of the first five minutes as WOU held a pair of four-point leads in the early-going. A McLaughlin jumper at the 13:23 mark gave the Wildcats the lead for good, although the visiting Wolves kept things within arm's reach in the first half as the largest lead was just eight points for CWU. WOU closed to within four in the final minute of the period before a pair of Coby free throws at the halftime buzzer gave the Wildcats a 48-42 edge.

Western Oregon scored the first points of the second half on a three-pointer by Tyler Funk, but the three-point deficit was as close as the Wolves got. CWU reeled of 17 of the next 21 points over a five-minute span to take a 16-point lead, and the Wildcats' lead remained in double digits for the rest of the contest. The largest margin of the night was the 20-point differential at the final buzzer.

McLaughlin and Coby each scored 16 points in the second half as the Wildcats outscored Western Oregon by a 59-45 count after the break. CWU shot a sensational 68.8 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes, making 22 of 32 shots. McLaughlin finished the game at 10 of 14 from the field and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, while Coby was 8 of 14 and added seven rebounds and a game-high five assists. Coby's 23 points were a career-high, surpassing a previous best of 21 points, accomplished twice in his career.

Williams' 19 points included a trio of three-pointers, as he made 8 of 16 from the field. Magee, who also pulled down seven rebounds, was a perfect 5 of 5 shooting. The Wildcats' fifth starter, junior Nate Walker (Tacoma/Henry Foss HS), finished with eight points and eight rebounds. CWU finished the game with a commanding 40-29 edge in rebounding while making 58 percent of its shots (40 of 69).

Western Oregon was led by redshirt freshman Andy Avgi, who totaled 22 points. James Gehring came off the bench to add 15 points, while Kolton Nelson scored 11 and Devon Alexander finished with 10.

Saturday's home finale against Saint Martin's will be the final collegiate home game for five CWU seniors, who will be recognized prior to the contest.