AZUSA, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine men's basketball team saw two new faces emerge with big-time games to help the cause in their Friday showdown with Western Washington.

Playing at the GNAC/PacWest Crossover Challenge hosted by Azusa Pacific University, true freshman Jackson Tucker scored a career-high 14 points and knocked down his first two triples as a Golden Eagle.

Newcomer Alpha Okoli also turned in his best outing with the Green and Gold. The guard deposited a season-best 15 points and played 34 minutes while going 6-of-10 from the floor.

Collectively, Okoli and Tucker shot 50 percent from three-point land (5-for-10) to give CUI a boost from long range.

On top of that, Lance Coleman II led the team in scoring for the third straight outing.  The sharpshooter scored 25 points for the second time already this season and is shooting 50 percent from downtown after three games.  Teammate Bryce Fitzgerald continued his strong play as well with 13 points, which is the third straight game he has scored in double figures.

Unfortunately, all that offensive firepower wasn't enough to fend off a pesky Vikings squad. Western Washington also shot a healthy percentage and was able to pull away in the last few minutes to secure a 92-78 win.

The Golden Eagles get a chance at redemption on the same court with a 5 p.m. game scheduled against Seattle Pacific.

CLICK HERE to Buy Tickets if you are heading to Azusa on Saturday for the CUI-SPU contest.

CUI is home again this coming Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. for a matinee with Bethesda before Thanksgiving break.

CLICK HERE to But Tickets to upcoming Concordia home games ahead of time!

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI men's basketball schedule