BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University freshman guard Riley Dykstra hit a game-tying three-pointer as time expired in regulation, but Northwest Nazarene outlasted the Vikings in overtime for a 87-76 victory Monday afternoon on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

The No. 6/11 nationally-ranked Vikings dropped just their third game of the season to fall to 17-3 overall and 9-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. Two of the losses have come to Northwest Nazarene – both in overtime – with the Nighthawks improving to 16-8 overall and 10-6 in GNAC play with the 11-point victory. 

Dykstra led the Vikings with a career-high 21 points, going 8-for-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range. Her buzzer-beating three-pointer from the left corner tied the game at 69-69 off an assist from her older sister Avery.

NNU controlled the five-minute overtime period out-scoring WWU 18-7, going 4-for-4 from the field and 9-for-12 from the free throw line. The Vikings committed four turnovers in OT to lead to seven NNU points. WWU led 73-71 at the 3:29 mark in overtime, but NNU erupted for 16 points over the final 3:18 to earn the regular-season sweep of the Vikings.

Playing without starting guards Mollie Olson and Dani Iwami due to injury – and senior guard Emma Duff limited to 24 minutes with a sprained ankle – the Vikings tied their season high with 28 turnovers leading to 30 NNU points. The Nighthawks active defense resulted in 12 steals and a pair of blocked shots. 

Sophomore forward Brooke Walling recorded her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds, adding four steals and a pair of blocked shots. Junior forward Katrina Gimmaka reached double-figures in scoring for the second consecutive game with 10 points and six rebounds. Sophomore post Carley Zaragoza added nine points and Duff had seven points on 1-for-10 shooting.

NNU had six players reach double-figures in scoring, led by 16 points by Erin Jenkins (6-for-10 FG) and 14 points by Teagan Thurman. The Nighthawks shot 46.7% for the game (28-for-60) and were 9-for-20 from three-point range.

The tightly contested game featured 14 lead changes and nine tie scores, with each team leading for nearly 20 minutes. WWU held a decisive 41-25 advantage in rebounding.

The Vikings have a quick turnaround playing their third game in a four-day stretch Tuesday night hosting Saint Martin's for Senior Night in Carver Gym (7 pm tip-off).

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and NNU from Monday's game:

Prior to Tuesday's home regular-season finale against Saint Martin's WWU's three seniors will be recognized in a special pregame ceremony. Emma Duff, Gracie Castaneda and Dani Iwami – along with senior members of the WWU band and cheer programs – will be honored for their contributions to the program over the last five years.

The Vikings (17-3, 9-3 GNAC) close out the home portion of the regular season Tuesday night hosting Saint Martin's Senior Night with tip-off at 7 pm.

Here is an updated look at the GNAC standings through games played on Monday, with the Vikings now in 2nd place in the standings with a 9-3 conference record. Updated conference standings and the 2021-22 GNAC Women's Basketball Points Rating System Standings can be viewed online at GNACSports.com.

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 635, 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 1,067 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.