The Western Washington University men's basketball team ended its preseason with a high-scoring affair against the Northwest Indian College Eagles on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.
On WECU Court in Carver Gym, located on Western's campus in Bellingham, Wash., the Vikings beat the Eagles 135-57 to wrap up their preseason and had the opportunity to share the court with another local team.
Head coach Tony Dominguez, who is returning for his 14th season as head coach of the Vikings, spoke about the opportunity to play NWIC.
“We enjoy playing an exhibition game against Northwest Indian College because they’re right here close to us, and just the tradition and the culture, and just what it means to us in our county, it was great,” Dominguez said. “So, we were really thankful that they’d come play us.”
The exhibition game allowed for a chance for Coach Dominguez and the Vikings to finish preparing for the regular season.
“We have a really good group, and so we needed to play a game with refs and a crowd and the whole shebang, so they can get the game slippage out of their mind and they can start performing in game,” Dominguez said. “I thought that’s what tonight was good for, and I think we accomplished that.”
The Vikings' victory was led by junior offseason transfer Malachi Miller, and returning sophomore Trevor White, both ending the game with double-digit points and rebounds.
White shot a perfect 100% on the night, scoring four times from the floor, once from three and making all four of his free throw attempts, for a total of 13 points on the night. He also grabbed 10 rebounds during the game.
“Honestly, I just want to win a lot of games,” White said. “I know that’s like, cliche, but I’m trying to make it as far as we can, and play as many games as possible. Do big things for ourselves and for the program.”
Miller tied with two teammates for the most points in the game with 15, scoring an impressive eight of nine free throw attempts, and grabbing 10 rebounds throughout the game.
“I think what we can take from tonight is that we got threats all around the floor, and if we play team ball, we can beat anybody,” Miller said.
The bench for the Vikings boasted an impressive 84 points, scoring over half of the points for the team.
The Vikings were also strong defensively, holding the Eagles to making only 18 of their 68 shots from the floor, as well as forcing 13 turnovers and stealing possession nine times throughout the night.
“Last year, we were a very good defensive team, but this year, I feel like we really are going on all cylinders,” White said. “We’re pushing the pace, doing really well defensively on our close outs and whatnot, we just have to start earlier.”
The team has high ambitions for this year, hoping to end the five-year drought of GNAC championships for the team, and to return to the NCAA DII playoffs for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
“I’m looking to get to the Elite Eight, and then, potentially, a championship,” Miller said. “But honestly, I'm looking to build a bond with my guys. You play basketball your whole life, and you don’t win every game, just get what you get out of your teammates. You get lifelong brothers, so I’m looking to bond with my teammates, and that will bring us closer and that will help us win.”
The Vikings will begin playing regular-season games next Friday, Oct. 31, in Langley, British Columbia, at the CCA Division II Canadian Tip-Off Classic.
Christian Larrañaga (he/him) is a Sports and Recreation reporter for The Front. He is in his second year at Western, majoring in Visual Journalism, and is in his first quarter at The Front. Christian spends his time in the outdoors, playing soccer or hanging out with friends. You can reach him at christianlarranaga.thefront@gmail.com.
