The No. 9 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women’s basketball put together a defensive masterpiece holding Northwest Nazarene to a season-low in points in a 73-41 victory Thursday night on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
The Vikings improved to 17-2 overall and remain in first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference at 11-1 following the 32-point victory over the Nighthawks.
Junior forward Brooke Walling led four Vikings in double-figure scoring with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting and fell one rebound short of her ninth double-double of the season. Senior guard Mollie Olson, senior forward Carley Zaragoza and senior forward Katrina Gimmaka all poured in 10 points each.
Entering the game as one of the top 10 shooting teams in the nation, the Vikings were again efficient from the field connecting on 28-of-55 shots for a .509 shooting percentage, including 8-for-15 from three-point range (.533).
Western limited NNU to just 41 points and a .308 field goal percentage (16-for-52), with the Nighthawks limited to 1-for-11 from three-point range. The Vikings also dominated the boards with a lopsided 46-18 rebounding advantage.
NNU (9-11, 5-7 GNAC) was led by nine points from Danika Starr (3-for-4 FG) and five points from Loy Waid.
WWU entered the weekend ranked No. 9 (WBCA Coaches) and No. 11 (D2SIDA Media) in the national polls, and No. 2 in the D2SIDA West Region Poll.
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