Sports - Local Colleges

POSTED: Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Vikings win season opener

Guard Derrick Webb, 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 action Friday at the Disney Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

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.

Forward Michael Duty and guard Morris Anderson each had 19 points for Western. Anderson, who was 6 of 8 from the floor, also had a game-highs of nine assists and three steals.

The Vikings got nine points and a game-high nine rebounds from center Zach Bruce.

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.

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.