PORTLAND, Ore. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team put together a dominating performance to defeat Concordia University 88-41 Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on LCEF Court.

The Vikings built a 20-point lead through the first quarter of play and held a 49-16 lead at the half en route to the 47-point victory over the Cavaliers. WWU improved to 8-4 overall and evened its conference record at 2-2. Concordia dropped to 2-10 overall and 1-3 in GNAC play. 

WWU scored a season-high 88 points, the third time to break the 80-point mark this season, and shot a season-best 57.9% (33-for-57). The torrid shooting performance included 12-for-22 from 3-point range, the most 3-pointers made in a game since the 2017-18 season. The 47-point margin of victory is the largest since a 46-point win over Alaska Fairbanks (100-54) on December 1, 2016.

Junior forward Emma Duff led the Vikings with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting and was 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Junior guard Gracie Castaneda scored a season-high 11 points on 3-for-8 shooting (3-for-5 3FG) and senior guard Lexie Bland also reached double-digits with 10 points. Junior guard Dani Iwami was 3-for-5 from the floor for 8 points and tied Castaneda for the team-high with 5 assists.

Overall the Vikings had 11 of 12 players that suited up score at least one point, with the balanced team effort resulting in 10 players with at least six points. The Western defensive pressure caused 28 Concordia turnovers, resulting in 37 points.

The Cavaliers were led by 13 points from freshman Mya Brazile and 8 points and 5 rebounds by Riley Friauf.

The Vikings got off to a quick start with a 3-point play by Anna Schwecke and a long 3-poiner by Dani Iwami, which set the tone for a dominating first quarter of play. WWU used a 22-6 run to pull away from the Cavaliers to build a 28-8 lead through the first quarter of play. The Vikings were 11-for-15 from the field (73.3%), including 5-for-6 from beyond the arc to build the 20-point lead. Lexie Bland led the way for WWU in the opening quarter with 8 points.

WWU continued its hot start scoring the first seven points of the second quarter, extending its run to 19-0 to build a 27-point lead at 35-8. The Vikings used a 9-0 run to take a 35-point lead at 47-12 and ended the quarter out-scoring CU 21-8. Holding the 49-16 halftime lead, the Vikings shot 63.3% from the field in the opening 20 minutes of action, connecting on 19-of-30 shots, and were 8-for-12 from 3-point range.

Here are some facts and figures from 47-point victory over Concordia:

·         11 of 12 players that suited up for the Vikings scored at least one point, with 10 players scoring at least 6 points.

·         WWU shot a season-best 57.9% (33-for-57), including 73.3% (11-for-15) in the first quarter.

·         The 12 made 3-pointers are the most since making 14 vs. Academy of Art on Nov. 24, 2017.

·         WWU had a 23-15 assist-to-turnover ratio, marking the second-most assists in a game this season.

·         The Vikings never trailed in the game following the 3-point play by Anna Schwecke to open the game (led for 39:45 of the 40-minute game.

·         WWU head coach Carmen Dolfo is two wins away from 600 for her career (598-240/.714).

The Vikings (8-4, 2-2 GNAC) return home next week to host Saint Martin's (Thursday, 1/7) and Seattle Pacific (Saturday, 1/9) in Carver Gym. Tip-off for both home games are at 7:00 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

WWU improved to 13-3 all-time vs. Concordia, snapping a two-game losing streak in Portland.

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 with 598, 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 1,029 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.