Guard John Allen scored a game-high 25 points and Western Washington University closed with a huge run to defeat Montana State University Billings 95-80 Saturday, Jan. 5, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball contest at Alterowitz Gymnasium on MSUB's campus.

The defending NCAA Division II national champion Vikings, ranked No. 5 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll, stayed unbeaten at 12-0 overall and 3-0 in GNAC action. It was their 18th straight victory over the last two seasons, matching the longest in league history set by Alaska Anchorage during the 2007-08 campaign. The start and streak are both the second best in WWU history.

MSUB, which handed the Vikings their last loss, 82-78, in the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament on March 2, 2012, fell to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

With MSUB ahead by one, 73-72, with 7:41 remaining, the Vikings responded with 20 straight points.

WWU reserve guard Rico Wilkins had seven points during the stretch. He finished with 15 points and a game-high five steals,

Guard Richard Woodworth had 15 points and a game-high seven steals, and forward Anye Turner added nine points and seven rebounds.

MSUB was ahead for most of the first 12 minutes until the Vikings went on a 12-3 run for a 38-29 lead with 3:33 left in the first period, and led 41-34 at halftime.

WWU returns home to play arch-rival Central Washington University at 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, in a GNAC counter at Sam Carver Gymnasium. The game will be televised live on ROOT Sports.

WESTERN WASHINGTON 95, MSU BILLINGS 80

WESTERN WASHINGTON (12-0, 3-0 GNAC)

Allen, John 10-20 2-2 25; Woodworth, Richard 5-11 4-4 15; Wilkins, Rico 4-5 6-7 15; Severson, Cameron 7-10 0-1 14; Turner, Anye 4-4 1-2 9; Jones, Paul 3-6 2-4 9; Mitchell, Chris 3-5 0-6 7; Bragg, Austin 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 36-62 16-28 95.

MSU BILLINGS (8-7, 1-3 GNAC)

Arnold, David 10-15 1-1 24; Crayton, Jarrell 5-12 2-4 12; Cusworth, Cameron 4-7 0-0 11; Johnson, Sam 4-11 1-2 9; McDade, Omar 3-10 0-0 7; Hatcher, Kalob 1-5 2-2 5; Wallace, Devon 1-1 3-4 5; Trabing, Robby 2-3 0-0 4; Ridgeway, Brian 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 31-67 9-13 80.

Half: WWU 41, MSUB 34

3-point goals--Western Washington 7-13 (Allen,John 3-7; Jones,Paul 1-1; Woodworth,Richard 1-2; Wilkins,Rico 1-1; Mitchell,Chris 1-2), MSU Billings 9-26 (Cusworth,Cameron 3-5; Arnold,David 3-5; McDade,Omar 1-7; Hatcher,Kalob 1-5; Ridgeway,Brian 1-3; Johnson,Sam 0-1). Fouled out-Western Washington-None, MSU Billings-None. Rebounds--Western Washington 30 (Turner,Anye 7), MSU Billings 35 (Crayton,Jarrell 15). Assists-Western Washington 14 (Woodworth,Richard 7), MSU Billings 16 (Hatcher,Kalob 4; Arnold,David 4). Total fouls--Western Washington 16, MSU Billings 21. Technical fouls--Western Washington-None, MSU Billings-TEAM. A-315