LA GRANDE, Ore. — Walla Walla University men's basketball opened its 2026-27 season Friday afternoon with an 88-49 loss to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) at Quinn Coliseum in La Grande, Oregon.
The Wolves (0-1) struggled offensively against the Eagles (1-0), shooting 32.8% from the field and 16% from beyond the arc. Embry-Riddle finished shooting 50% from the field, including 35.7% from 3-point range, while holding a 50-31 advantage in rebounds.
Embry-Riddle established control early, opening the game on a 14-0 run behind scoring contributions from Noah Gifft, Ethan Macken, Peter Dress and Jacey Canalin.
Walla Walla responded with seven consecutive points from
Treyvan Wilkerson, who knocked down a 3-pointer, added a jumper and converted two free throws to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 14:57 remaining in the first half.
The Eagles answered with a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 20-7.
Soren Dalan responded with a layup for the Wolves before Embry-Riddle continued to build its advantage.
Midway through the first half,
Zeke Virtudes provided an offensive spark for Walla Walla, scoring five points in less than a minute. Virtudes connected on a jumper before knocking down a 3-pointer off an assist from Dalan, cutting the deficit to 24-14.
Embry-Riddle responded with consecutive 3-pointers from Trey Chemin and Canalin to extend its lead to 30-14.
Kiearon Marshall answered with a 3-pointer for the Wolves, but Walla Walla struggled to generate consistent offense over the remainder of the half.
Jordan Fils-Aime added a layup in the closing minutes, but the Eagles entered halftime with a 44-21 advantage.
Walla Walla finished the opening half shooting 28.6% from the field, while Embry-Riddle connected on 48.7% of its attempts.
The Eagles carried their momentum into the second half, opening with a 14-2 scoring run to extend their lead to 58-23. Dress led the early second-half attack, connecting on two 3-pointers and adding a jumper.
The Wolves continued to battle offensively, with Fils-Aime providing consecutive baskets midway through the second half.
Mical Runnels and
Jamaal Elliot also contributed baskets as Walla Walla looked to find its offensive rhythm.
Embry-Riddle maintained control, extending its lead to 71-31 following another 3-pointer from Dress with 9:29 remaining.
Walla Walla responded with scoring contributions from
Kieran Clasen, Virtudes and Wilkerson. Clasen converted a layup before Wilkerson scored on a layup and completed the three-point play to bring the score to 74-38.
Despite improving its shooting percentage to 36.4% in the second half, Walla Walla was unable to overcome the early deficit. The Eagles matched their first-half scoring output with another 44 points to secure the 88-49 victory.
Wilkerson led the Wolves with 12 points off the bench, shooting 4-for-12 from the field while adding four steals. Virtudes followed with nine points and two steals, while Fils-Aime contributed six points on 3-for-4 shooting.
Dalan finished with five points, two rebounds and two assists, while Clasen added four points, four rebounds and three blocks.
For Embry-Riddle, Canalin and Dress each scored 16 points. Canalin also recorded seven rebounds and five assists, while Dress connected on four 3-pointers. Gifft, Chemin, Lex Clontz and Noah Gloor also finished in double figures.
The Eagles held a 42-22 advantage in points in the paint and outscored the Wolves 15-2 on second-chance opportunities. Walla Walla's bench contributed 29 points, led by Wilkerson and Virtudes.
The loss marked the beginning of the Wolves' 2026-27 campaign as Walla Walla looks to build on its season-opening performance.
UP NEXT - The Wolves will look to bounce back as they travel to Montana next weekend to take on MSU-Northern and University of Providence.
