BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 9 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's basketball team returns home to Carver Gym hosting Seattle Pacific University Thursday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
The Vikings are 13-1 overall and in first place in the GNAC with a 5-1 conference record. WWU has won its last three games, including an 18-point 77-59 victory Tuesday at Western Oregon. The Vikings overall record includes a perfect 10-0 mark in games on the road.
 
WWU will host only one game this weekend, with Saturday's scheduled game vs. Montana State Billings postponed due to health and safety protocols in the MSUB program. The Vikings and Falcons (8-10, 4-4 GNAC) will meet in the first of two games this month with tip-off at 7 pm on WECU Court.
 
The Vikings hot stat to the season included 10 consecutive victories before falling to Central Washington at home 76-68 on January 13. The team has responded with three consecutive road wins, including a 53-45 at Alaska Anchorage on January 20 in a battle of ranked teams.
 
Western has been limited to six conference games due to several postponements, setting up a frantic finish to the season with nine games scheduled over the next 23 days leading up to the GNAC Championships that will be played March 2-5 in Seattle and Lacey. The GNAC announced earlier this week that all 10 teams will qualify for the championships due to the number of postponed games during the regular season.
 
WWU enters the contest vs. the Falcons as one of the top defensive teams in the nation, holding opponents to 53.1 points per game (10th in NCAA II) and a 33.0 field goal percentage (6th in NCAA II). The Vikings have also solidified their spot as one of the top shooting teams in the nation ranking 8th at 47.2-percent (382-for-809) and are 13th out-scoring opponents by an average of 17.9 points per game.
 
Senior All-America candidate Emma Duff has led the Vikings in scoring in nine of 14 games (four straight) and is 5th in the GNAC averaging 15.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She is also listed 9th in the conference in field goal percentage (.491), tied for 12th in steals (1.5/game), tied for 6th in blocked shots (1.0/game) and is the top free throw shooter in the GNAC (.857/42-for-49). Duff has recorded three double-doubles to rank 4th in the GNAC.
 

THIS WEEK IN WWU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Thursday, February 3	Live Coverage
Seattle Pacific  »  7:00 pm  »  Bellingham, WA  »  WECU Court in Carver Gym	📊 LiveStats   🎥 Webcast

The WWU Fan Policy requires proof of vaccination for all fans 12-and-older or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event to gain admission into the game. Game management staff will check for CDC-issued vaccination cards (or a picture of a vaccination card) and paperwork on a healthcare-administered COVID test. All fans, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while inside the venue. Masks may be adjusted while actively eating or drinking. If a fan forgot their mask, there will be one available at the entrance of the venue.
  The Vikings are back on the road for their next three games, beginning with contests at Northwest Nazarene (Thursday, Feb. 10) and Central Washington (Saturday, Feb. 12). WWU also travels to play at Seattle Pacific on Tuesday, February 15. The complete 2021-22 schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/21-22_WBB.
  The Vikings are a perfect 10-0 on the road this season, going 8-0 in true away games and 2-0 in neutral-site contests. WWU has picked up key road wins over West Region ranked teams Azusa Pacific and Cal State San Marcos. WWU has made road trips to Colorado, Southern California, Northern California and a neutral-site game in Seattle, in addition to going 3-1 inside Carver Gym.
  Senior guard Dani Iwami suffered what could be a season and career-ending knee injury 20 seconds into the January 13 game vs. Central Washington. Iwami was averaging 9.1 points and 2.8 assists per game this season prior to the injury, and has appeared in 67 games during her WWU career. She is one of the top 3-point shooter in WWU history with 112 made 3-pointers.
  Here are some facts on the Vikings impressive 13-1 start to the season:

• Ranked No. 1 in the West Region in the D2SIDA Media Poll (4 of 6 first-place votes).
• Holds No. 9 (WBCA/Coaches) and No. 10 (D2SIDA/Media) national rankings.
• Opened the season with 10 consecutive wins and was one of four remaining undefeated teams prior to first loss.
• Out-scoring opponents by 17.9 points per game to rank 13th in NCAA Division II.
• Holds rebound advantage of 9.8, the 12th-best margin in NCAA Division II.
• Holding opponents to 53.1 points per game, the 10th-best mark in NCAA Division II.
• Team field goal percentage of 47.2 ranks 8th in NCAA Division II.
• 10 of 13 wins have been on the road.

The Vikings lead the GNAC in nearly every team defensive category, including holding opponents to 53.1 points per game for the 10th-best mark in NCAA Division II. WWU also leads the league in opponent field goal percentage (.330), rebounding margin (+9.8) and by limiting opponents to a .213 3-point field goal percentage.
  Here is a look at the series history between WWU and Seattle Pacific:

• Seattle Pacific: First of two games vs. SPU this season, also traveling to play the Falcons February 15 in Seattle (makeup from 1/8 postponed game)…went 2-0 vs. SPU in the shortened 2020-21 season, defeating the Falcons 58-50 at home and earning a 59-57 overtime victory on the road…the WWU record book shows the Vikings leading the all-time series 66-33, including a current five-game winning streak…WWU has won 10 of the last 13 in the series.

The Vikings maintained their No. 9 (WBCA) and No. 10 (D2SIDA Media) national rankings for the second straight week, after being No. 11 and No. 13 the previous week. WWU has spent seven of the last eight weeks in the national top-10including reaching as high as No. 5 (WBC) and tied for No. 2 (D2SIDA). The No. 2 national ranking was the highest WWU has been ranked in any of the national polls and the No. 5 coaches poll mark was the highest since being a consistent top-10 team in 2012-13, a season that finished with a No. 3 national ranking.
  Here is a look at the current D2SIDA West Region Media Poll with the Vikings holding the top spot for the second consecutive week receiving four of six first-place votes:   There have been a few schedule changes for the Vikings in upcoming games. Be sure to bookmark the 2021-22 season schedule for up-to-date tip-off times and schedule changes on wwuvikings.com/21-22_WBB:

• The Jan. 1 postponed game vs. Saint Martin's has been rescheduled for Feb. 22 (7 pm) in Bellingham.
• The Jan. 8 postponed game at Seattle Pacific has been rescheduled for Feb. 15 (4 pm) in Seattle.
• The Jan. 15 postponed game vs. Northwest Nazarene has been rescheduled for Feb. 21 in Bellingham.
• The Feb. 5 game vs. Montana State Billings has been postponed (no makeup date).

Senior Emma Duff is leading the Vikings averaging 15.6 and 7.5 rebounds per game, and added to her impressive basketball resume becoming the 28th player in WWU history to pass the 1,000 career point milestone. Duff now has 1,082 points in 109 games (83 starts) for an average of 9.9 points per game. She is the first player to join the exclusive club since the 2016-17 season when Taylor Peacocke, Kiana Gandy, Tia Briggs topped the 1,000-point mark for a career, and now just 34 points short of breaking into the all-time top 20 in WWU history.
  Here is a look at where WWU is listed in the official NCAA statistics rankings (through games of 2/2/22):
 

Statistic	National Ranking	GNAC Ranking	Value
Three Pt FG Defense	3	1	21.3
Field-Goal Percentage Defense	6	1	33.0
Field-Goal Percentage	8	1	47.2
Scoring Defense	10	1	53.1
Rebound Margin	12	1	9.8
Won-Lost Percentage (292 ranked)	12	1	92.9
Scoring Margin	13	1	17.9
Blocked Shots Per Game	41	2	4.1
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage	45	1	34.3
Assists Per Game	60	5	15.0
Scoring Offense	67	3	71.1
Defensive Rebounds per Game	71	4	27.9
Rebounds Per Game	90	2	39.9

  Here is a look at the results for the Vikings in the first 14 games of the 2021-22 season (13-1, 5-1 GNAC):
 

Record: 13-1    GNAC: 5-1    Home: 3-1    Away: 8-0    Neutral: 2-0
Date	Opponent		Score	High Points	High Rebounds
11/12/21	vs Humboldt State	W	68-56	(22) Duff	(11) Duff
11/19/21	vs Azusa Pacific	W	73-57	(23) Duff	(13) Duff
11/20/21	at Cal State San Marcos	W	78-73	(18) Duff	(8) Walling/Duff
11/26/21	at Regis	W	60-47	(11) Duff	(10) Walling
11/27/21	at Colorado Christian	W	58-51	(14) Dykstra,A	(10) Walling
12/02/21	LINCOLN (CA)	W	89-26	(15) Castaneda	(10) Reilly
12/04/21	SIMON FRASER*	W	82-60	(16) Dykstra,A	(9) Duff
12/14/21	at Academy of Art	W	57-43	(13) Zaragoza/Duff	(12) Dykstra,A
12/17/21	at Holy Names	W	83-32	(14) Olson/Iwami	(7) Reilly/Duff
12/30/21	WESTERN OREGON*	W	70-52	(12) Olson	(7) Duff
01/13/22	CENTRAL WASHINGTON*	L	68-76	(15) Duff	(10) Duff
01/20/22	at Alaska Anchorage*	W	53-45	(21) Duff	(7) Duff
01/22/22	at Alaska Fairbanks*	W	79-67	(19) Duff	(12) Walling
02/01/22	at Western Oregon*	W	77-59	(24) Duff	(7) Dykstra,R

  Here is an updated look at the GNAC standings heading into games this weekend. For complete updated conference statistics and standings, visit GNACSports.com.
 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL		CONF	PCT	OVERALL	PCT	HOME	AWAY	NEUTRAL	STREAK
1.	Western Washington	5-1	.833	13-1	.929	3-1	8-0	2-0	Won 3
2.	Central Washington	6-2	.750	13-4	.764	5-1	6-2	2-1	Won 8
3.	Montana State Billings	7-3	.700	13-9	.591	8-5	3-2	2-2	Won 1
4.	Alaska Anchorage	5-3	.625	12-4	.750	5-2	6-2	1-0	Won 2
	Northwest Nazarene	5-3	.625	11-5	.688	7-1	3-2	1-2	Lost 1
6.	Seattle Pacific	4-4	.500	8-10	.444	6-4	1-4	1-2	Lost 2
7.	Simon Fraser	3-5	.375	7-10	.412	3-1	2-5	2-4	Won 1
8.	Western Oregon	3-6	.333	7-9	.438	6-2	1-6	0-1	Lost 4
9.	Saint Martin's	2-6	.250	10-7	.588	7-2	1-5	2-0	Lost 1
10.	Alaska Fairbanks	1-8	.111	2-12	.143	0-5	1-6	1-1	Lost 1

  Senior guards Emma Duff and Dani Iwami rank in the top 15 in WWU program history for career 3-pointers made. Here is a list of the all-time leader since the rule was adopted in 1987-88:
 

WWU ALL-TIME 3-POINT FG MADE
1.	258	Katie Colard (122 games)	2011-15
2.	256	Amanda Dunbar (115 games)	2006-11
3.	210	Jodie Kaczor (118 games)	1998-02
4.	191	Corinn Waltrip (120 games)	2009-13
5.	155	Stacey Miller (86 games)	2000-03
	155	Erica Porter (122 games)	1987-91
7.	145	K.C. Mattingly (80 games)	1994-97
	145	Taylor Peacocke (119 games)	2013-17
9.	127	Emma Duff (109 games)	2017-current
10.	124	Kristy Eggen (116 games)	1994-97,02-03
11.	119	Kristin Schramm (114 games)	2007-08,09-12
12.	114	Mollie Stelmack (57 games)	2005-07
13.	112	Dani Iwami (67 games)	2017-current
14.	106	Briana Abrahamsen (88 games)	1998-01
15.	104	Jodi Gerald (110 games)	2001-05
16.	101	Lexie Bland (114 games)	2016-20
17.	98	Jenni White (122 games)	2011-15
	98	Tina Donahue (111 games)	2002-06
19.	92	Marelle Moehrle (58 games)	2007-09
20.	83	Amanda Olsen (116 games)	1996-00

  The Vikings had its perfect start to the season come to an end January 13 vs. Central Washington after opening the 2021-22 campaign with 10 consecutive victories. The 10-0 start goes into the record books as tied for the 3rd-best in program history and the 16-game winning streak (dating back to spring 2021) is 5th-best in WWU history.
 

LONGEST WINNING STREAKS
1.	21	Dec. 21, 2005 – Mar. 10, 2006
2.	19	Dec. 11, 2010 – Feb. 22, 2011
	19	1971 – 72, dates unknown
4.	17	Dec. 19, 2016 – Feb. 16, 2017
5.	16	Feb. 26, 2021 – Dec. 30, 2021
6.	15	1972 – 73, dates unknown
	15	Dec. 14, 1979 – Feb. 8, 1980
	15	Nov. 21, 1983 – Jan. 21, 1984
	15	Nov. 23, 2004 – Jan. 22, 2005
10.	14	1973 – 74, dates unknown
11.	13	Feb. 11, 1997 – Mar. 23, 1997
12.	12	Nov. 20, 1989 – Dec. 28, 1989
	12	Feb. 14, 2013 - Mar. 26, 2013
14.	11	Jan. 24, 1989 – Feb. 23, 1989
	11	Jan. 27, 1996 – Mar. 15, 1996
	11	Dec. 18, 2012 - Jan. 2, 2013
17.	10	Nov. 18, 1993 – Dec. 29, 1993
	10	Jan. 17, 1981 – Feb. 13, 1981
	10	Jan. 11, 1985 – Feb. 2, 1985
	10	Nov. 26, 1988 – Dec. 29, 1988
	10	Jan. 1, 1990 – Feb. 6, 1990
	10	Nov. 16, 1990 – Jan. 4, 1991
	10	Nov. 26, 1994 – Dec. 30, 1994
	10	Dec. 5, 1997 – Jan. 10, 1998
	10	Jan. 7, 2010 – Feb. 6, 2010
BEST UNBEATEN STARTS
1.	19-0	1971-1972
2.	12-0	1989-1990
3.	10-0	2021-2022
	10-0	1993-1994
	10-0	1990-1991
	10-0	1988-1989
7.	9-0	1999-2000
8.	7-0	1998-1999

  The Vikings have been voted No. 2 in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 89 total points to narrowly trail the 92 points obtained by preseason favorite Alaska Anchorage. UAA received seven of the 10 first-place votes, followed by two for WWU and one for Northwest Nazarene, who was picked to finish third with 70 poll points.
  Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 31st season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 631-246 (.719) to rank amongst the active and career leaders at the NCAA Division II level for career wins and winning percentage. Dolfo has led the Vikings to 17 trips to the NCAA Championships and a pair of Elite 8 appearances. She became the winningest coach in WWU Athletics history when she collected victory No. 519 on Dec. 3, 2015 vs. Alaska to pass former men's basketball coach Brad Jackson (518-279). Dolfo tallied her 600th career victory on January 11, 2020 vs. Seattle Pacific, in her 840th career game. Dolfo became the 36th active NCAA women's head coach across all divisions to join the 600-win club and is one of 73 women's coaches all-time in NCAA history to reach the milestone. WWU has recorded 21 seasons with 20-or-more wins under Dolfo.
  The 2021-22 coaching staff includes 10th-year assistant head coach Stacey Turrell, along with graduate assistant Bobbi Westendorf, volunteer assistant Annalisa Fish and student assistant George Irwin.
  Two WWU women's basketball coaches have more than 400 career victories, with current head coach Carmen Dolfo amassing 631 wins and Hall of Fame coach Lynda Goodrich totaling 411 wins leading the Vikings for 19 seasons from 1971-1990. The program owns an all-time record of 1063-380 for a career winning percentage of .736.
  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 631, 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 1,063 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.