AZUSA, Calif. – In a battle of two of the top programs in the West Region, Western Washington University battled Cal State San Marcos down to the wire in a 73-68 defeat Friday in the opening game of the Cougar Shootout on the campus of Azusa Pacific University.

WWU (2-1) dropped its first game of the young season while continuing a tough schedule that features the first four games against teams that played in the West Regional championships last season. The Vikings debuted in the national rankings this week at No. 10 in the Division II Media Poll (D2CSC). Cal State San Marcos improved to 1-2 with the five-point victory. 

Western senior forward Brooke Walling was again a force for the Vikings scoring a game-high 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting, also contributing seven rebounds and one blocked shot in 39 minutes. Junior forward Aspen Garrison chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds (and 3 steals) and sophomore guard Mason Oberg reached double-digits with 12 points. Senior guard Stephanie Peterson led the Vikings with five assists.

The two teams were tied 10-10 through the first quarter of play before San Marcos went on a 14-4 run in the second quarter to build a 33-24 halftime lead. The Vikings cut into the deficit going on a 12-3 run in the third quarter to pull to within five points at 48-43 and pulled even at 63-63 with 2:13 left. The Cougars answered the Vikings run with five consecutive points and held off any late rally chances to record the victory.

CSUSM was led by 18 points from Ava Ranson on 6-for-10 shooting, 16 points by Mina Tameilau and 15 from Charity Gallegos.

WWU combined to shoot 50-percent from the field (26-for-52) compared to .482 for San Marcos (27-for-56), but the Vikings missed eight free throw attempts going 14-for-22 (.636) from the charity stripe. 

The Vikings (2-1) takes on tournament host and No. 12 Azusa Pacific on Saturday with tip-off set for 6 pm in the Felix Events Center. 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 No. 22 Cal State San Marcos:

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.

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season following Friday's opener of the Cougar Shootout:

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 669, 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 1,101 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.