Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Western Washington University junior guard Taylor Peacocke scored a team-high 19 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 2.1 seconds left, to lead the Vikings to a 70-67 overtime victory over Seattle Pacific Saturday evening in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game at Brougham Pavilion.

With their 10th victory over the last 12 games the Vikings improved to 11-5 overall and 7-1 in GNAC play. WWU remains in a three-way tie in first place in the GNAC with Montana State Billings and Alaska Anchorage. Seattle Pacific falls to 6-9 overall and 3-5 in GNAC play.

Peacocke (Kenmore, WA/Inglemoor/Sacramento State) continued her string of scoring in double digits in all 16 games this season. Junior forward Tia Briggs (Tacoma, WA/Wilson) added 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 night from the field and senior center Kayla Bernsen (Moses Lake, WA) contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Seattle Pacific sophomore guard Jordan McPhee scored a career-high 28 points and sophomore forward Courtney Hollander added 21 points for the Falcons.

The Vikings held a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, but SPU went on a 6-0 run to open the 2nd quarter to tie the game at 16-16. After the Falcons took an 18-17 lead, WWU answered with a 21-2 run to take a 36-20 lead into halftime. Peacocke lead the Vikings with 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and junior guard Aleisha Hathaway (Spokane, WA/Shadle Park) added 9 points.

SPU went on a 17-0 run midway through the 3rd quarter to pull even with the Vikings at 42-42. WWU answered with a 4-0 run to end the quarter taking a 46-42 lead.

The Vikings extended their lead to 8 points at 50-42 early in the 4th quarter, but SPU again went on a lengthy 9-2 run to pull to within one at 52-51 4:32 remaining in the game. Despite 6 consecutive points by Bernsen, the Falcons eventually tied the game up at 58-58 with 1:15 remaining.

SPU took a 60-58 lead on a McPhee layup with 33 seconds remaining, but missed the free throw on a potential three point play that resulted in Bernsen fouling out of the game. Briggs tied the game up on a jumper with 8 seconds remaining to force overtime.

The Vikings opened the overtime period on a 7-1 run to build a 67-61 lead, but SPU kept true to fashion going on a 6-0 run to tie the game 67-67 with 47 seconds remaining. After a Hollander miss with 9 seconds remaining, Brianne Lasconia was called for an intentional foul as Peacocke as streaking towards the basket. Peacocke, an 88.9% free throw shooter for the season, missed the first shot, but hit the second to put WWU ahead 68-67. Briggs added a pair of free throws after being fouled on the inbound pass to give the Vikings the 70-67 victory.

The Vikings (11-5, 7-1 GNAC) return to action Tuesday in Bellingham vs. Simon Fraser at Whatcom Pavilion (7 pm).