BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team opened play in the Lynda Goodrich Classic with a balanced 63-43 victory over Minnesota State Moorhead Friday evening on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

WWU improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 inside Carver Gym with the 20-point victory. The Vikings are ranked No. 21 in the nation by the WBCA and No. 17 in the D2CSC Media Poll. 

Junior forward Aspen Garrison scored a single-game collegiate career-high with 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting, leading three Vikings in double-figure scoring. Garrison added five blocked shots, five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.

Sophomore guard Mason Oberg contributed 18 points behind five three-pointers and dished out three assists. Senior All-American Brooke Walling recorded her fourth double-double in five games with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Vikings led nearly wire-to-wire growing its advantage to as many as 23 points early in the fourth quarter. All 11 players on the active roster saw action in the game with eight players scoring points.

MSU Moorhead (0-4) was led by seven points each from Terryn Johnson and Bailey Keske. WWU limited the Dragons to 25.4-percent shooting on 15-for-59 from the field (3-for-12 3FG). 

The Vikings also held a 45-39 advantage in rebounding and out-scored MSU Moorhead 38-18 in the paint. WWU's 12 blocked shots are the most since recording 13 on January 30, 2016 vs. Concordia-Portland, and tied for 2nd-most in a single game during the NCAA era (since 1998-99).

In the opening game of the 23rd Lynda Goodrich Classic Central Washington hit the century mark in a 103-65 victory over Hawai'i Pacific. The Wildcats shot a scorching 58.8-percent from the field (40-for-68) and were 14-for-24 (.583) from three-point range in the 38-point victory over the Sharks. Sunny Huerta led CWU with 37 points on 14-for-21 shooting and Asher Cai had 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting.

The Vikings (4-1) completes play at the Lynda Goodrich Classic Saturday night taking on Hawai'i Pacific (1-3) at 7 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Central Washington (5-3) will play MSU Moorhead (0-4) in the 4:30 pm game on the final day of the classic. 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 MSU Moorhead:

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

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season following Friday's 20-point home victory over MSU Moorhead to improve to 4-1 on the 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 671, 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 1,103 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.