Jan. 3, 2011
Box Score
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Center Lauren Hefflin (Sr., Ridgefield) scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, both career and game highs, as nationally ranked Western Washington University rallied to defeat arch-rival Central Washington University, 76-67, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game Monday at Nicholson Pavilion.
It was the fifth straight win for the Vikings, ranked No.18 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association/USA Today/ESPN/NCAA Division II Top 25, who improved to 10-1 overall and are tied for the GNAC lead at 3-0. They also got 15 points and a game-high nine assists from Amanda Dunbar (Sr., Marysville/Marysville-Pilchuck).
Central, which suffered its first loss in four home games this season, dropped to 5-5 overall and is 0-3 in conference play. The Wildcats were led by the 18 points of guard Luv Rattler, and center Aleyse Evans contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Western, rated among the top 10 nationally in scoring defense, entering the game with a 49.6 average, held the Wildcats to 27 points in the second half after giving up 40 in the first period.
Central shot just 29.4 percent (10-of-34) in the final 20 minutes after hitting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) in the first half.
The Wildcats took an early 13-0 lead, making five of six shots over the first four minutes. Western got back to within three points on three occasions in the period, but trailed 40-33 at halftime.
The Vikings scored the first 14 points of the second half, the first eight by Hefflin, for a 47-40 advantage with 12:41 to go. They extended that lead to 13, 71-58, with 2:58 left.
Central closed to within six points, 71-65 with 45 seconds left, but Western made five of six free throws to seal the win.
Hefflin was 12-of-16 from the floor. She had 17 points on 8-of-9 field-goal shooting and nine rebounds in the second half.
Western turned the ball over 15 times, just three in the final period. Central had 28 turnovers.
It was the 408th career win for Western coach Carmen Dolfo (20th year), who is just three shy of tying Lynda Goodrich for most victories in school history.
The Vikings return home to host Saint Martin's University on Thursday (7 p.m.) in a GNAC counter.
