Nov. 19, 2016 Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. â€" Western Washington University senior guard Taylor Peacocke continued her early-season scoring binge with a game-high 30 points to lead the Vikings to a 84-65 victory over nationally-ranked UC San Diego Saturday evening in the final game of the 2016 West Region Crossover Classic at Whatcom Pavilion.
The Vikings bounced back from a 70-63 loss against Azusa Pacific last night to improve to 3-1 on the season. The Tritons, who were ranked No. 6 in the D2SIDA media poll this week and No. 17 in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll, went 0-2 in the Crossover Classic to even the season record at 2-2.
"We were a tale of two different teams this weekend, and I am really proud of how the team came out today determined and relentless in this win," said head coach Carmen Dolfo, who is in her 26th year at the helm of the program. "Our defense definitely got our offense started and we had some nice runs. Overall we had a lot better contribution from our team. Taylor (Peacocke) and Kiana (Gandy) are doing to always be there, but we needed others to step up, and tonight they did."
Peacocke (Kenmore, WA/Inglemoor) recorded her second career 30-point game, connecting on 10-of-15 shots from the field and was also 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. In two games in the Crossover Classic she scored 51 points to earn her second tournament MVP honor of the season. In four games this season Peacocke is averaging 25.3 points per game, while shooting 59.3% from the field (32-for-54).
"Anytime we needed a lift or an answer to one of their hot streaks, Taylor was right there with the big shot," added Dolfo on her senior guard. "She is fun to watch."
In addition to Peacocke's big game, junior forward Hannah Stipanovich (St. Louis, MO/Metro State) scored a season-high 15 points, going 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Overall the Vikings were 32-for-39 from the charity stripe, and are shooting at a 81.2% clip from the free-throw line this season (82-for-101).
Senior forward Kiana Gandy (Des Moines, WA/Mount Rainier) and senior center Tia Briggs (Tacoma, WA/Wilson) also reached double-digits scoring with 14 and 10 points respectively. Briggs just missed the double-double with a game-high 9 rebounds. Senior transfer Jessica Valley (Lafayette, IN/Nova Southeastern) had an all-around solid game featuring 5 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
The Vikings held a 19-15 lead after the first quarter, with Peacocke leading all players with 11 points.
Western grew its lead to 8 points at 38-30 heading into halftime, fueled by a 19-15 advantage in the second quarter. The Vikings pulled away from a 21-19 lead, going on a 17-11 run over the final 8 minutes of the quarter. Stipanovich led all players with 6 points, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
The Vikings commanded the third quarter out-scoring the Tritons 24-14, much in part to a 15-0 run over a 5-minute stretch to turn a 45-38 lead into a 58-38 lead. Gandy had 8 points in the quarter (4-for-5 shooting) and Peacocke was 3-for-4 from the field for 7 points. WWU shot 71.4% (10-for-14) in the quarter, compared to 5-for-16 (31.3%) for UCSD.
The Tritons went on a 10-0 run to open the final quarter, cutting Western's lead to 8 points at 62-54, but Peacocke answered with a three-pointer to end the extended UCSD run. UCSD would again climb their way back into the game cutting the lead to 7 points at 68-61 with 2:41 remaining in the game, but it was again Peacocke with the answer hitting a short-range jumper with just over two minutes remaining to all but put the game away. Peacocke scored 9 of her 30 points in the final quarter, while Gandy added 6 points (4-for-4 free throws).
UCSD was led by 16 points and 7 rebounds from all-tournament selection Dalayna Sampton and 15 points and 4 assists from forward Cassie MaCleod.
WWU returns to action next weekend hosting the 19th Annual Lynda Goodrich Classic with Holy Names, Notre Dame de Namur and Saint Martin's visiting Bellingham. The Vikings will play Friday at 7:30 pm (Notre Dame de Namur) and Saturday at 7:45 pm (Holy Names) at Whatcom Pavilion.
Game Notes: Taylor Peacocke now has 1,296 career points (11th in school history) and is closing in on 10th place (Cincy Pancerzewski, 1,298 points)...Kiana Gandy is averaging 17.8 points per game (4 games) and Tia Briggs leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game...WWU played for the second straight game without senior starting forward Rachel Albert (undisclosed).
Related Links: Box Score | Game Book | Season Statistics | Career Statistics
2016 West Region Crossover Classic â€" All-Tournament Team
Courtney Hollander, Seattle Pacific (11.5 Pts/G, 11.5 Rbd/G)
Erica Pagano, Seattle Pacific (13.0 Pts/G, 66.7%/10-for-15 FG)
Abigail Goodsell, Azusa Pacific (10.5 Pts/G, 4.0 Ast/G, 3.0 St/G)
Dalayna Sampton, UC San Diego (12.0 Pts/G, 76.9%/10-for-13)
Hannah Stipanovich, Western Washington (11.0 Pts/G, 18-for-20 FT)
Most Valuable Player: Taylor Peacocke, WWU (51 points/25.5 avg)
2016 West Region Crossover Classic â€" Results
Seattle Pacific 62, UC San Diego 45
Azusa Pacific 70, Western Washington 63
Seattle Pacific 75, Azusa Pacific 49
Western Washington 84, UC San Diego 65
