BAYAMÓN, PR – The Western Washington University women's basketball team built a big 24-point first-half lead and never looked back on its way to a 64-48 victory over the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamón at the Puerto Rico Clásico.

The Vikings recorded the 16-point victory behind a quick start, taking a 41-21 lead into the halftime break. WWU led by as many as 24 points at 41-17 with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter.

UPRB closed the gap to within 11 points in the second half, but the Vikings pulled away at the end for its fourth win in the last five games. WWU is now 6-3 overall with one game in Puerto Rico remaining on Saturday.

WWU was led by a 16-point, 7-rebound effort from senior center Anna Schwecke, her sixth consecutive game reaching double-figures in scoring. Schwecke was 5-for-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line.

Junior guard Emma Duff scored in double-digits for the third consecutive game with 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Sophomore guard Avery Dykstra contributed 9 points (4-for-4 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Senior guard Lexie Bland added a game-high 4 assists and scored 7 points. 

Anzairyz Medina led the Vaqueros with 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting and Karelis Zayas added 9 points.

WWU forced 19 UPRB turnovers, resulting in 13 points, and out-scored the Vaqueros 42-22 in the paint.

The Vikings got off to a quick start in the game, but only after the start of the game was delayed by 15 minutes due to the team getting stuck in traffic and being dropped off at the wrong arena.

The Vikings (6-3, 1-1 GNAC) return to action on Saturday (Dec. 21) wrapping up play in the Puerto Rico Clásico against the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras. Tip-off is set for 12:30 pm Pacific Time (4:30 pm in Puerto Rico) at Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón.

More information on WWU Basketball can be found online at WWUVikings.com/WBB and via social media on Twitter (@WWUBasketball), Instagram (@wwu.basketball) and Facebook (@WWUwomensbball).

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in seven of the last 11 seasons, and 34 times in the 48-year history of the program. WWU has 20 seasons of 20 or more wins under head coach Carmen Dolfo, who is the winningest coach of any sport at WWU and ranks among Division II active and all-time coaching leaders in wins, win percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 16 of 21 seasons at the Division II level with two trips to the Final Four. The program has 1,028 all-time wins in the 48-year history of the program, and according to available records, is one of just 16 women's college basketball team across all divisions and levels to reach the milestone.