It didn’t take long for John Allen to make a case for removing the “preseason” tag from his preseason All-America selection. The senior guard scored twice in the opening 52 seconds en route to 29 points as defending national champion Western Washington ended Chaminade’s season in the NCAA II West Regional men’s basketball tournament 102-87 Friday night in Bellingham, Wash.

The Silverswords (19-11) were led by senior guard Bennie Murray’s game-high 32 points, while sophomore guard Lee Bailey added 15 and senior guard Dominque Cooks 10. Senior guard De’Andre Haskins, the PacWest player of the year, was held to eight points, well below his 18.7 ppg average.

“They did a good job of denying (Haskins) the ball, but I thought our guys adjusted and it freed other guys up,” Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird said. “It really was anyone’s game until five minutes or so and then we had to start fouling.”

The host Vikings (28-2) finished 30-for-35 from the line and outrebounded the Silverswords 35-23.

Chaminade hit nine 3-pointers, five in the first half that helped the ’Swords take their only lead at 35-32 with 7:15 left before intermission.

The Vikings went on a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to take control for good. Chaminade, pulled to within three several times in the second half, the last at 68-65, but could get no closer in falling for the third time in five games.

“Thunder Dan” takes Grand Canyon job

PHOENIX >> Russ Pennell has resigned as head basketball coach at Grand Canyon and former Phoenix Suns star and assistant coach Dan Majerle says he is taking the job.
Majerle made the comments to Phoenix television station KTVK. Grand Canyon is to begin the transition to NCAA Division I next season.
Grand Canyon begins competition next season in the Western Athletic Conference.