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Oct. 30, 2009

Box Score

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Guard Derrick Webb (Sr., Port Orchard/South Kitsap), who missed all of last season because of a broken wrist, scored a game-high 23 points as the Vikings defeated Grand Canyon University, 94-70, in first-day men's basketball action Friday at the Disney Tip-Off Classic being held at the Anaheim Convention Center.

It was the season opener for both teams. The Vikings are the defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions and Grand Canyon was picked to finish second in the preseason Pacific West Conference Coaches Poll.

Webb, who had 15 of his points in the second half, was 5-of-10 from the field, hitting 2-of-4 3-pointers and 11-of-12 free throws.

"It was great to have Derrick back on the floor," said Western coach Brad Jackson, who began his 25th season. "He hit some big shots, especially in the second half, and played with a lot of confidence."

Forward Michael Duty (Sr., Seattle/O'Dea) and guard Morris Anderson (Sr., Federal Way) each had 19 points for Western. Anderson, who was 6-of-8 from the floor, also had game-highs of nine assists and three steals.

The Vikings got nine points and a game-high nine rebounds from center Zach Bruce (Sr., Oceanside, CA).

Five Grand Canyon players had double-figure points, led by reserve Marco Ramos with 12.

Neither team led by more than three points for the first 17 minutes of the first half.

Western trailed 34-32 with 4:05 left in the opening period, but Anderson and Webb each hit 3-pointers to begin a 12-3 run. Webb was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 0:06 left in the period and made all three free throws to give the Vikings a 44-37 halftime lead.

Western continued the barrage to begin the second half, outscoring the Antelopes 18-6 over the first 7:29 for a 19-point advantage, 62-43, with 12:31 remaining.

Grand Canyon narrowed the margin to eight points, 66-58, with 8:02 to go, but the Vikings outscored the Antelopes, 28-12, the rest of the way, leading by as many as 26 twice in the final 1:07.

"I was pleased with our composure," Jackson said. "After they had that little flurry and got it down to eight, we came right back ... It was encouraging to see that kind of poise."

The game is the first of three meetings between the Vikings and Grand Canyon. The Antelopes will be competing in the WWU Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic, meeting Western on Nov. 28, and the Vikings will be at Grand Canyon on Dec. 5.

Western will play Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday at 12 noon and San Francisco State on Sunday at 4 p.m. San Francisco State was a 78-53 winner over Kentucky Wesleyan in the other first-day contest Friday.