BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 11/14 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's basketball team remained unbeaten at 6-0 following an 89-26 victory over Lincoln University of California Thursday night on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
 
The Vikings shot 53.7% from the field in the 63-point victory in their 2021-22 home opener, connecting on 36-of-67 shots and were 7-for-20 from 3-point range. The 26 points allowed are the fewest by a Vikings squad since defeating San Francisco State 58-24 on November 20, 2010 in a game that marked the 400th career victory of head coach Carmen Dolfo (now at 624 all-time wins).
 
"I think we did a really good job of playing good defense and sharing the ball, and those are the two things we have been really stressing this season, and tonight they were really committed to that," said Dolfo (624-245/.718).
 
Senior guard Gracie Castaneda led the six Vikings in double-figure scoring with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting in 21 minute of action. She also totaled five assists, five rebounds and a steal.
 
Freshman post player Truitt Reilly had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double and recorded four blocked shots.
 
Also reaching double-digits in points were senior guard Emma Duff (13 points, freshman guard Riley Dykstra (11 points), senior guard Dani Iwami (10 points) and sophomore post Carley Zaragoza (10 points).
 
WWU had a 48-31 rebounding advantage and limited the Oaklanders to 18.2% shooting (10-for-55).
 
Keana Thompson led Lincoln with 14 points and nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds.
  The Vikings opened the game scoring the first 11 points and never looked back to take a 31-8 lead through the first quarter and a 56-15 lead at the halftime break. WWU shot 55.0% in the first 20 minutes of action (22-for-40) and out-rebounded the Oaklanders 24-17. Emma Duff and Truitt Reilly led the Vikings with 11 points each.
  The Vikings (6-0) open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday hosting Simon Fraser University in a 7 pm game on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Fans can follow all the action live online or via live statistical updates with direct links at wwuvikings.com/Live.
  Beginning October 18, a new campus fan policy went into effect with all fans having to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours to gain admission into Carver Gym. Due to state of Washington and WWU policy, face coverings/masks are also required for all fans and social distancing in the stands is encouraged. Tickets will be on sale to the general public beginning one hour prior to first serve at the Carver Gym Box Office and free parking is available in the C lots on the south edge of the WWU campus.
  One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in eight of the last 12 full seasons, and 35 times in the 50-year history of the program. WWU has 21 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 624, winning 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 1,056 all-time wins in the 50-year history of the program, and according to available records, is one of less than 20 women's college basketball team across all divisions and levels to reach the 1,000-victory milestone.