Feb. 23, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

UPDATE: The Western Washington University men's basketball team embarks on its final road trip of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season this week, facing Seattle U. (15-8 overall, 8-6 GNAC) on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene (3-19, 1-13) on Saturday.

The Vikings, 13-10 overall and 7-7 in the GNAC, split a pair of games at Carver Gym last week, defeating Western Oregon, 78-69, on Thursday before falling to conference-leading Humboldt State, ranked No.3 nationally in the NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25, 73-72, on Saturday, in a game where neither team led by more than two points in the final seven minutes.

Western will be seeking revenge at Seattle, as the Redhawks defeated the Vikings, 73-65, at Carver Gym on Feb. 1. Two days prior to that, the Vikings handled Northwest Nazarene, 80-61.

Senior center Mike Palm continues to entrench himself in the Western record book. Palm, who is already the school's career rebound leader with 826, ranks third in blocked shots with 155, and is fourth in scoring, just two points out of third, with 1,569 points. He seems nearly certain to become the only Viking player to be ranked among the top three in all three categories early in the Seattle U. game.

This season, Palm leads Western in scoring (18.3), rebounding (9.4), blocked shots (2.0) and field goal percentage (56.5). He is also hitting 83.6 percent (97-of-116) of his free throws, and is 9-of-20 (45.0 percent) on 3-pointers.

Palm has scored in double figures in 22 of 23 games this season and in 39 of his last 42 contests, with 10 double-doubles (points and rebounds) and nine 20-point contests. He ranks fifth in the GNAC in scoring, second in blocked shots, fourth in field goal percentage and rebounding, and seventh in free throw percentage.

Junior guard Jason Burrell is averaging 13.9 points after having a career-high 26 in the victory over Western Oregon. Burrell ranks third in the GNAC in assists (4.5) and is also contributing 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals.

Redshirt freshman guard Grant Dykstra is averaging 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game, and is Western's leading 3-point shooter (29-of-85, .341).

At forward, sophomore Maurice Tyree is averaging 10.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 53.3 percent from the field, and senior Nehemiah Campbell is contributing 7.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. Tyree grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds against Western Oregon.

The top reserve is freshman guard Ryan Diggs, who is averaging 9.9 points and has scored in double figures in five of the last seven games. Diggs is also averaging 2.5 assists and a team-high 1.7 steals.

In national statistics through games of Feb. 15, the Vikings ranked No.21 in rebounding margin. They are currently averaging 80.8 points a game, shooting 46.5 percent from the field while holding opponents to 42.2 percent, and have an average rebound margin of 6.7 a game.

Western leads the league in rebound margin and blocked shots (5.0), and is second in scoring margin.

UPCOMING GAMES:
Feb. 27 (Thu.) at Seattle University*@ (Seattle - 7 p.m.)
Mar. 1 (Sat.) at Northwest Nazarene University* (Nampa, ID - 6 p.m. PT)
Mar. 5 (Wed.) CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY*@ (CARVER GYM, 7 p.m.)
Mar. 8 (Sat.) SAINT MARTIN'S COLLEGE*@ (CARVER GYM, 7 p.m.)
*Great Northwest Athletic Conference counter
@broadcast on KBAI Radio (930 AM - Bellingham) and internet (wwuvikings.com)

THREE-DOT NOTES: Palm has made 27 of his last 28 free throws (96.4 percent) ... Burrell has averaged 18.2 points and 3.6 assists over the last five games ... Diggs has hit 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the floor in the last seven games after making just 41.7 percent (58-of-139) in the first 16 contests ... After shooting 49.9 percent from the field through its first 13 games, Western has shot just 42.1 percent in the last 10 games, getting over 46 percent in just two of them and being below 40 percent three times. Western is 6-1 when shooting better than 50.0 percent from the floor ... Viking opponents are making a remarkable 75.4 percent of their free throws. That mark would lead the GNAC by a comfortable margin and would rank in the top 10 nationally in NCAA Division II.

Palm ranks 22nd in the latest national statistics in both rebounds and blocked shots, and 28th in field goal percentage ... The Vikings have lost four of their last six home games after having a streak of 19 consecutive home wins, the second longest in school history ... Dykstra is on pace to become just the fifth freshman in school history to average double figures. The other four - Jared Stevenson (11.8, 1996-97), Palm (12.7, 1999-2000), Harold Doyal (10.8, 1991-92) and Jeff Dick (13.4, 1990-91) - currently rank first, third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on Western's career scoring list. With Diggs just under double figures, the Vikings still have the possibility of having two freshmen average double figures in the same season for the first time in school history.

Palm was named GNAC co-Player of the Week for Feb. 9-15 after scoring 60 points (25-of-34 field goals, 73.5 percent, and 9-of-10 free throws), grabbing 31 rebounds and blocking nine shots in two road games in Alaska, and Tyree earned similar honors for his play on Jan. 6-12 ... Tyree was named tourney MVP as Western won its own WWU/Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic with victories over BYU-Hawaii, 74-65, and Cal Poly Pomona, 68-54. Also picked to the all-tourney team were Palm and redshirt freshman guard Kyle Jackson ... Humboldt State was the near-unanimous preseason coaches poll pick to win the 2002-03 GNAC title, getting nine of 10 first-place votes and 108 points. Western was second (77), with Central Washington third (75) and Seattle Pacific fourth (74).

D-II PLAYOFFS EXPANDED: The NCAA Division II post-season playoff field has been expanded from 48 to 64 schools, with eight schools from each region qualifying. That means that even though the GNAC champion doesn't earn an "automatic" berth in the playoffs, it could conceivably have three or possibly four of its teams advance to the March tournament.

PALM 1-3-4 (REBOUNDS, BLOCKS, POINTS) AMONG CAREER LEADERS: Six-foot-10 senior center Mike Palm is the school's career leader in rebounds with 826 and ranks fourth in scoring with 1,569 points (two short of third). He broke Jim Adams' career rebound mark of 800, set in 1960-63, on Feb. 15 at Alaska Fairbanks. It was the oldest individual mark on the books.

Palm is one of just two players currently ranked among Western's career Top 4 in points, rebounds and blocked shots. Palm is first in rebounds, third in blocked shots at 155 and fourth in points. The last Viking to do that was forward Harold Doyal (1991-95), who now plays professionally in the first division in France.

During his four-year career, Palm is shooting 57.8 percent (568-of-982) from the floor and 83.2 percent (422-of-507) at the free throw line. His 422 made free throws are a school record.

LAST SEASON: Western finished 21-6, winning its last nine games, and tied for the inaugural Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship with Humboldt State and Seattle Pacific at 15-3, but was denied a berth in the West Region of the NCAA Division II National Tournament after reaching the national semifinals in 2000-01.

RADIO BROADCASTS: Twelve Western games are being broadcast this season on KBAI Radio (930 AM) with Doug Lange handling the play-by-play, and either Jason Stiles or Mark Scholten 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.

COACH JACKSON: Brad Jackson is in his 18th year and is the winningest coach in school history, both in total wins (333-199) and winning percentage (.626). He ranks among the top 30 active NCAA II coaches in victories. Two years ago, 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 14 post-season playoff appearances, including district/region/conference championships and national tournament appearances in 1988, 1994 and 2001. He has had seven 20-win campaigns (1986-90, 1993-94, 2000-01, 2001-02).

PROBABLE WESTERN STARTERS & TOP RESERVES:
G Jason Burrell**, 6-1, Jr., Ontario, CA, 13.9 ppg, 4.5 apg, .832 FT Pct.
G Grant Dykstra, 6-4, R-Fr., Everson, WA/Lynden Christian, 11.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg
C Mike Palm***, 6-10, Sr., Puyallup,WA/Rogers, 18.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.0 bpg, .565 FG Pct.
F Nehemiah Campbell***, 6-4, Sr., L.A., CA/Washington, 7.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg
F Maurice Tyree*, 6-7, So., Sacramento, CA/Jesuit, 10.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, .533 FG Pct.

G Ryan Diggs, 6-2, Fr., Victorville, CA/Silverado, 9.9 ppg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 spg
F Chris Stevens***, 6-9, Sr., Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly, 3.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .571 FG Pct.
G Stefan Dickason, 6-1, Jr., Kent, WA/Kentridge, 6.7 ppg, .813 FT Pct.
F Darrell Visser, 6-6, Fr., Lynden, WA, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg
G Kyle Jackson, 5-10, R-Fr., Bellingham, WA/Sehome, 4.7 ppg. .857 FT Pct.
*letters

UPCOMING OPPONENT INFORMATION:

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY: The Redhawks (15-8, 8-6, 7-3 home), who were 6-23 last season, have lost four of their last seven games after a 12-4 start, their best in 36 years (have won all three of their overtime games this season). They are led by three returning starters - 6-4 senior forward Darnell Lyons (16.0 ppg, 83.3 FT Pct.), 6-3 sophomore guard Andy Bloom (10.5 ppg, 84.5 FT Pct.) and 6-4 senior forward Bryan Peterson (8.1 ppg). Second-year coach Joe Callero (43-56 overall, 3rd year) picked up four talented newcomers, led by 6-6 freshman forward Jeffrey McDaniel (9.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, .553 FG Pct.). Three transfers round out that quartet - 6-3 junior guard Jelani Williams (7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg), who came from Los Medanos JC after a stop at Portland State University; 6-8 junior center Nic Lano (8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) from Edmonds CC, and 6-4 junior guard Eddie Lincoln (5.1 ppg, 3.3 apg), who played the last two seasons at Eastern Washington University after earning 2000 Class 3A state Player of the Year honors at Seattle's O'Dea High School. Western leads the series, 41-29, losing 73-65 at Bellingham on Feb. 1.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY: The Crusaders (3-19, 1-13, Feb. 27 host Seattle Pacific) have lost eight straight games (second time this season). Three top newcomers for coach Ed Weidenbach (7th year, 147-77), who returns for his second stint after directing NNU for six years from 1991-97, are 6-9 junior center Cam Wattling (12.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .569 FG Pct.) from Wenatchee Valley CC and 6-9 junior forward Matt Gerome (8.1 ppg) from Scottsdale CC (Ari.) and 6-3 sophomore forward David Lehrschall (6.2 ppg), who has not played for three years after earning all-conference honors at Yakima Valley CC. Another new face is 6-3 freshman guard Ryan McCarthy (10.5 ppg), who redshirted last season. Heading the returnees from last year's 1-18 team, are 5-10 senior guard Larry Graves (10.3 ppg, 4.4 apg), 6-5 senior forward Kevin Richard (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and 6-3 senior guard Tyler Jeans (8.5 ppg). The Crusaders are being outscored by 10.2 points per game. Western holds an 8-1 series advantage, winning, 80-61, at Bellingham on Jan. 30.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: The Wildcats (15-9, 9-6, Feb. 27 host Saint Martin's), who have won eight of their last 11 games (three straight), return their two starting guards from last year's 16-10 squad. They are 6-2 senior Terry Thompson (16.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and 6-2 junior Scott Freymond (11.8 ppg, 3.9 apg). Another top returnee for coach Greg Sparling (8th year, 148-81) is 6-6 junior center Tyler Mitchell (5.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .604 FG Pct.). Two standout transfers are 6-0 junior guard Kasey Ulin (14.2 ppg, .490 3-pt. Pct., 49-100; .848 FT Pct., 95-112) from Yakima Valley CC, and 6-6 junior forward Chris Bond (9.9 ppg) from Carroll College MT. Central is averaging 83.3 points a game. Western trails in the series, 147-77, losing, 82-61, at Ellensburg on Dec. 7.

SAINT MARTIN'S COLLEGE: The Saints (1-24, 1-14, 0-13 road, Feb. 27 at Central Washington, March 6 at Seattle Pacific), had lost 28 straight contests dating back to the end of 2001-02 before defeating Northwest Nazarene, 75-71, on Feb. 22. Three of the bright points for coach Bob Grisham (16th year, 219-274) are returnee 6-10 senior center Nick Gibbs (11.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg), 6-3 junior forward Brandon Hartley (14.5 ppg), a transfer from South Mountain CC in Arizona; and 6-2 senior guard Dave Clark (9.4 ppg). SMC is allowing 79.5 points per game. Western has a 107-56 series advantage, winning, 70-64, at Lacey on Dec. 5.

GAME SUMMARIES:

Feb. 20 - WESTERN 78, Western Oregon 69 at Bellingham, WA Burrell scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading Western to a 78-69 triumph over Western Oregon in a GNAC game at Carver Gym. The Vikings also got 12 points, three blocked shots and a career-high 16 rebounds from Tyree. Western Oregon, which fell to 12-11 and 5-9, was led by the 18 points of forward Robert Day. Forward Sean Kelly, who entered the game averaging a GNAC-leading 23.5 points a game, was held to 14, going 5-of-18 from the field, but did have a team-high eight rebounds. Western Oregon led by five, 29-24, with just under five minutes left in the first half, but Western went on a 14-2 run the rest of the period, with Diggs scoring eight of the points, to take a 38-31 lead at halftime. The Vikings never trailed in the second half, but Western Oregon pulled to within two on two occasions, the last at 51-49 with 10:39 to play. The Wolves were never down by more than nine points until the final 50 seconds, but never were closer than six in the final 6:15. Diggs had 15 points for Western, which also got 13 points, all in the second half, from Palm. The Vikings had a 43-27 edge in rebounds. Guard Kevin Tyner had 16 points and seven assists for Western Oregon, which had three players (Tyner, Day and Jahmez Dixon) foul out and had three other players end the game with four fouls.

Feb. 22 - Humboldt State 73, WESTERN 72 at Bellingham, WA Forward Fred Hooks had game highs of 29 points, 17 rebounds and six assists, and hit the game-winning shot with 9.9 seconds left as nationally ranked Humboldt State defeated Western, 73-72, in a GNAC contest at Carver Gym. The Vikings were led by the 15 points and five assists of Burrell, who missed a leaning 10-footer with two seconds left that might have given Western the upset. Humboldt State, ranked No.3 nationally in the National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25, improved to 21-3 overall and lead the GNAC with a 12-3 mark. The Lumberjacks, ranked No.2 in West Region, also got 18 points from forward Austin Nichols. After Dykstra hit one of two free throws with 2:56 to play to give the Vikings a 70-69 lead, neither team scored for more than two minutes. Lumberjack guard Jeremy Robinson broke the drought on a driving layin with 43.3 left, putting Humboldt State up 71-70. Tyree then missed for Western, but Dykstra was fouled on the rebound and made both ends of a 1-and-1 to put the Vikings back up by one with 24.8 seconds to go. Humboldt State worked the ball to Hooks, who hit a jump hook from eight feet on the right baseline for the final points of the game. There were 15 lead changes and 14 ties in the contest, with the biggest lead being Western's 46-39 edge with 18 minutes left after Palm scored the first five points of the second half. Neither team had a lead of more than two points in the final seven minutes. Dykstra had 13 points for the Vikings and Diggs added 12. Palm added 12 points and seven rebounds. Humboldt State shot 48.4 percent (30-of-62) from the field, with Hooks going 14-of-25 and Nichols 7-of-11, while Western hit just 36.9 percent (24-of-65) of its attempts.