FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The No. 14 nationally-ranked Western Washington University women's basketball team bounced back in a big way closing out its five-game road trip with a decisive 86-45 victory over Alaska Fairbanks Saturday afternoon on Alaska Airlines Court.

The Vikings improved to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with the 41-point victory over the Nanooks, rebounding from a 61-54 defeat at Alaska Anchorage on Thursday.

WWU received another balanced offensive performance with junior guard Riley Dykstra leading all players with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting (4-for-6 3FG) and senior guard Stephanie Peterson scoring 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting (4-for-7 3FG). Peterson added seven steals as the Vikings recorded a season-high 17 steals. Senior All-American forward Brooke Walling continued her streak of scoring in double-digits in every game this season with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Junior guard Olivia Wikstrom added nine points and freshman guard Demi Dykstra scored a single-game career-high nine points on 3-for-6 shooting.

Western combined to shoot 46.9-percent for the game (30-for-64) while connecting on a season-high 11 three-pointers (11-for-27/.407). The Vikings also held a lopsided 41-27 advantage in rebounding.

The Nanooks (2-12, 0-4 GNAC) were led by 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting by Emma McKenney and nine points by Taryn Lindsey. WWU's defensive effort limited UAF to 29.2-percent shooting (14-for-48) and forced 22 turnovers.

After a slow start, the Vikings leaped out to a commanding 17-5 lead after the first quarter, ending the stanza on a 15-3 run. Western extended its lead to 46-15 with another dominating second quarter out-scoring the Nanooks 29-10. The Vikings stifling defense limited UAF to just four made field goals in the first 20 minutes of action. Stephanie Peterson led WWU with 12 points and five steals in the first half, followed by nine points each by cousins Riley and Demi Dykstra. 

The Vikings out-scored the Nanooks 40-30 in the second half to grow the lead to as many as 46 points late in the fourth quarter. WWU finished with a 41-point victory to improve to 10-3 on the season.

Senior guard Stephanie Peterson earned the WECU Player of the Game recording 18 points and seven steals for a solid offensive and defensive performance. The 18 points came on 6-for-11 hooting with 4-for-7 from three-point range.

The Vikings (10-3, 2-1 GNAC) returns home next week for a pair of games on WECU Court in Carver Gym, beginning by hosting Central Washington Thursday, January 11. The complete season schedule, complete with links on how to watch the games, can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/WBB.

Prior to WWU's next home game on January 11 vs. Central Washington, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni will be sponsoring a pregame treat of free hot chocolate and brownies to the first 350 fans. The goodies will be handed out in the lobby of Carver Gym.
 

The Vikings extended their winning streak over UAF to 27 consecutive games dating back to the 2008-09 season. WWU improved to 57-5 all-time vs. the Nanooks and 28-5 in games played in Fairbanks with a current 15-game winning streak.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Alaska Fairbanks:

Here is an updated look at the 2023-24 GNAC Women's Basketball standings following the early games on Saturday:

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 the 86-45 win at Alaska Fairbanks:

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 677, 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 1,109 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.