BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a dominating 23-point 70-47 victory over No. 11 nationally-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday night at the WWU Veterans Day Classic on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

In a battle of the last two West Regional champions, the Vikings prevailed with the lopsided victory leading wire-to-wire in the season-opening victory. 

WWU used a fast-paced 24-6 start through the first quarter to put the Toros in catch-up mode the rest of the way and led 28-19 at the break. A 20-point third quarter and 22-point final stanza put the game away in favor of the Vikings to open the campaign. 

"It was a really solid team performance to open the season against a good program," said WWU head coach Carmen Dolfo. "We shared the ball well with 23 assists, were able to get out run a fast-paced offense and got contributions from several players. We will rest up and get ready for a tough Cal State LA team tomorrow night."

Sophomore guard Mason Oberg led all players with 16 points 5-for-9 shooting, connecting on a trio of three-pointers and adding three assists and two steals.

Senior All-American Brooke Walling looked every bit the part of her title as GNAC Preseason Player of the Year scoring 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double and blocking six shots.

Junior guard Riley Dykstra also neared a double-double with 11 points and a career-high eight assists, also contributing five rebounds as the Vikings held a 46-38 advantage on the glass.

Junior transfer forward Aspen Garrison made her Western debut with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting with six rebounds.

Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-1) was led by 15 points from Asia Jordan (5-for-19 FG) and 10 points by Hosanna Walker (2-for-10 FG).

Western's swarming defense limited the Toros to 23.9-percent shooting for the game (17-for-71) and just 2-for-17 from beyond the arc.

Here is a look at the schedule for the WWU Veterans Day Classic to be held November 10-11 in Carver Gym. All games will stream live via Vikings TV on YouTube:

The Vikings (1-0) wrap up the opening weekend of the season taking on Cal State Los Angeles (1-0) Saturday night at 7 pm in the final game of the WWU Veterans Day Classic. Seattle Pacific (0-1) will play Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-1) in the 4:30 pm game on WECU Court in Carver Gym. The complete season schedule, complete with links on how to watch the games, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/WBB.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Cal State Dominguez Hills:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2023-24 season:

Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2023-24 season can call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-BLUE to reserve their seats for the upcoming season inside Carver Gym. The complete 2023-24 schedule is available online with links to purchase tickets at wwuvikings.com/23-24_WBB.
 

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in 10 of the last 14 full seasons, and 37 times in the 52-year history of the program. WWU has 23 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 668, winning percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 19 of 24 possible seasons at the Division II level with three trips to the Elite Eight (last in 2022) and played in the 2022 national championship game. The program has 1,100 all-time wins in the 53-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.