Jan. 23, 2003

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Guard Kerie Hughes had game-highs of 18 points and seven assists as Seattle Pacific University defeated Western Washington University, 78-62, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game Thursday between two NCAA Division II Top 25 teams at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, ranked No.16 in the latest WBCA/NCAA II poll and No.4 in the West Region, had a seven-game winning streak snapped and fell to 11-3 overall, 4-1 in the GNAC. Forward Jenn McGillivray (Jr., Salem, OR/S. Salem) came off the bench to lead Western with 15 points, and center Susan Rodgers (So., Gig Harbor/Peninsula) had 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots.

Seattle Pacific, rated No.2 nationally and No.1 regionally, remained undefeated at 15-0, the best start and winning streak in school history, and took over sole possession of first place in the GNAC at 6-0. The Falcons have won 21 consecutive regular season games since falling at Western, 102-87, on Feb. 7, 2002.

Western held an 18-15 lead midway through the first half, but the Falcons went on a 12-2 run to take a 27-20 lead with six minutes remaining and never trailed again.

Seattle Pacific led 44-35 at halftime and held a 61-49 edge with 11 minutes left. The Vikings went on a 13-3 run, with McGillivray scoring seven of the points, to close to within four, 64-60, with 5:24 to play, but could get no closer as they failed to make a shot from the field after that point.

Forward Stacey Miller (Sr., Bellingham/Sehome) had 12 points for Western, and forward Tessa DeBoer (Jr., Lynden/Lynden Christian) had nine points and 10 rebounds. The Vikings shot a season-low 33.3 percent (21-of-63) from the field.

Center Kelley Berglund had 15 points and seven rebounds for Seattle Pacific, and forward Carli Smith came off the bench to contribute 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Western hosts arch-rival Central Washington University on Saturday (7 p.m.) in a GNAC counter.