Forward Paul Jones scored 17 of his career-high 26 points in the first half, as nationally ranked Western Washington University remained unbeaten and kept two long winning streaks alive with a 98-62 victory over Thompson Rivers University B.C. on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 30, in a non-conference men's basketball contest at Sam Carver Gymnasium on WWU's campus.

The defending NCAA Division II national champion Vikings, ranked No. 5 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll, improved to 10-0 - the second-best start in school history - and have won 16 straight over the past two seasons - the second-longest winning streak in WWU history.

Guard Richard Woodworth had 19 points for WWU, and guard John Allen had 14 points and a career-high 12 assists.

Thompson Rivers, located in Kamloops, B.C., fell to 4-10 with its sixth straight loss. Center Blaz Bozinovic led the Wolf Pack with 11 points, and forward Brett Rouault added 10.

WWU took control of the contest quickly, jumping to a 15-3 lead just over five minutes into the game and held a 40-27 halftime lead.

The margin was still just 17 at 61-44 with 11:43 to play, but the Vikings put the game out of reach with a 20-6 charge in a little over four minutes, giving WWU an 81-50 advantage with 7:04 left. The gap was never less than 27 after that.

Center Chris Mitchell (Sr., Everson/Nooksack Valley) had 10 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings, who shot 50.6 percent (42-of-83) from the field, including 61.0 percent (25-of-41) in the second half, and also had a 47-38 advantage in rebounds.

It was the 15th consecutive home victory for WWU, which is 5-0 at home this season.

WWU returns to Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, traveling to No. 7-ranked Seattle Pacific.

WESTERN WASHINGTON 98, THOMPSON RIVERS 62

THOMPSON RIVERS (4-10)

Bozinovic, Blaz 5-9 1-1 11; Rouault, Brett 4-15 0-0 10; Pribilsky, Kevin 2-7 4-4 9; Bozinovic, Ivan 2-4 4-6 8; Usherwood, Zach 4-7 0-2 8; Pierre, Akeem 2-6 2-4 6; Haslom, Theron 0-2 3-4 3; Parker, Brett 1-3 0-0 3; Grant, Troy 1-1 0-0 2; Oates, David John 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 22-59 14-21 62.

WESTERN WASHINGTON (10-0)

Jones, Paul 12-18 1-2 26; Woodworth, Richard 7-9 0-0 19; Allen, John 6-15 0-0 14; Mitchell, Chris 4-8 0-1 10; Wilkins, Rico 4-10 0-0 9; Turner, Anye 3-5 0-0 6; Davis, Alfred 2-3 1-2 5; Fisher, Damien 2-4 0-0 4; Severson, Cameron 1-3 1-1 3; Bragg, Austin 1-5 0-0 2; Oliver, Robert 0-2 0-2 0; Thorpe, Dane 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 42-83 3-8 98.

Half: WWU 40, Thompson Rivers 27

3-point goals--Thompson Rivers 4-14 (Rouault,Brett 2-4; Parker,Brett 1-3; Pribilsky,Kevin 1-4; Pierre,Akeem 0-1; Oates,David John 0-1; Usherwood,Zach 0-1), Western Washington 11-30 (Woodworth,Richard 5-6; Mitchell,Chris 2-5; Allen,John 2-9; Jones,Paul 1-2; Wilkins,Rico 1-6; Bragg,Austin 0-1; Thorpe,Dane 0-1). Fouled out--Thompson Rivers-None, Western Washington-None.

Rebounds--Thompson Rivers 38 (Bozinovic,Ivan 10), Western Washington 47 (Mitchell,Chris 9). Assists--Thompson Rivers 11 (Pribilsky,Kevin 6), Western Washington 25 (Allen,John 12). Total fouls--Thompson Rivers 14, Western Washington 16. Technical fouls--Thompson Rivers-None, Western Washington-Allen,John. A-458