ANCHORAGE (Dec. 2) - Western Oregon made 9 of 10 free throws in the final 37 seconds and needed every one of them to hang on for a 52-51 victory over the Seawolf men's basketball team Thursday night.

UAA (2-4, 0-1 GNAC) scored 25 points in the last 5 minutes, including 19 in the final 58 seconds, but fell short in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Western Oregon (3-2, 1-0) got 15 points from point guard Kevin Tyner and 11 from guard Jahmez Dixon as it built a 38-21 lead with 6:24 to play. At that point it seemed a foregone conclusion that UAA would break the school record for fewest points in a game (42 at Kentucky, 1999-00), but freshman Raylon Almon's three-pointer snapped the Seawolves out of their shooting funk.

A layup by Brian Hills (13 points, 5-10 FG) and a steal and layup by freshman point guard Luke Cooper cut it to 41-30 and UAA kept pecking away.

The game again seemed wrapped up for the visitors when Garrett Johnson's two free throws made it 50-45 with 8 seconds to go, however James Hartman (13 points, 8 rebounds) answered with a three with 3 seconds left. Johnson once more came up clutch with two more charities, making it more painful for the Wells Fargo Sports Complex crowd of 781 when Almon's 30-foot heave went it at the buzzer.

The Seawolf defense was tough all night, holding the Wolves to 34 percent shooting and forcing 18 turnovers. However, WOU made seven three-pointers to UAA's four, and outrebounded the home team 34-27.

UAA will try for its first league win Saturday at 7:05 p.m. when it hosts defending GNAC champion Humboldt State.