BOX SCORE

BELMONT, Calif. — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team made history on Friday night with the program's first-ever Division II school victory, an 83-69 win over Western Oregon University in the first day of the NDNU Classic.

The Penguins (1-3) got on the board with two Austin Bryan free throws before the clock even started due to an administrative technical foul. Alex Ward laid the ball up in the game's first play to give Dominican the early 4-0 advantage. The Wolves (3-1) tied the game up a few plays later and took a three-point lead before a Mark Lewis free throw tied things up at 15 apiece. The lead exchanged hands seven more times before a Bryan layup put Dominican ahead by six. An SOU three-pointer cut the Dominican lead to 39-36 going into halftime.

Lewis made six of the second half's first eight points and the Penguins soon led 49-36 with 15:46 to play. A Bryan three-pointer gave Dominican its biggest lead at 54-39. The Wolves trimmed the lead to four with six minutes to play but Dominican extended the lead to 17 before closing the door.

Bryan, named earlier to the season's first PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll, continued to pace the Dominican offense, leading all players with 21 points. Lewis recorded a career-high 18 points in his first start of the season. Ward added 18 points and made two blocks.

"It felt good to contribute right away," said Lewis. "Our guards did a good job seeing the floor and distributing the ball on the fast break."

Bryan, Killian Larson, Xander McNally, and Tyler Sokol all pounded the glass with five rebounds a piece.

McNally led all players with eight assists, including an alley oop pass to Ward just two minutes into play.

The Wolves, limited to just 2-of-15 three point shooting in the second half to go .190 for the game, were led by Matt Schmidt's 16 points.

"This was a good team win for us," said Dominican Head Coach Bret Tovani. "Everybody contributed tonight and it's good to get that first D-II win for the program."

The Penguins hit the hardwood again on Saturday with a 5:00 p.m tipoff against CSU East Bay in the second day of the NDNU Classic, hosted by Notre Dame de Namur University. The Pioneers are also transitioning out of the NAIA D-II California Pacific Conference and moving up to NCAA Division II.