CARSON, Calif. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team gave Cal State LA a major test Saturday during the second day of the CCAA/GNAC Crossover falling in overtime 63-55 in the Torodome.

The Vikings (0-2) had a chance to win the game in regulation after the defense forced a jump ball with 32 seconds left to gain possession. Western got two good looks at the basket on out of bounds plays, but both shots rimmed out sending the game to overtime.
 

The Golden Eagles outscored the Vikings 11-3 in the extra frame to secure the eight-point victory. WWU beat CSLA 76-69 in overtime last season during a tournament hosted in Bellingham.
 

Junior Alyson Deaver finished with 16 points on 40-percent shooting (6-for-15) to lead the Viking scoring attack. She also added four rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Demi Dykstra chipped in 15 points and added five steals on the defensive end. Freshman forward Jaylyn Arosemena scored her first-career collegiate points and neared a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes in a reserve role.

Cal State LA (2-0) was led by senior guard Lily Buggs 21-point, 9-rebound effort.

The Vikings (0-2) make their home debut in Carver Gym Tuesday hosting Cal State East Bay in a non-conference game at 7 pm on WECU Court. WWU is back on the road next week competing in the Falcon Classic at Seattle Pacific with games against Azusa Pacific (Friday, 4 pm) and Cal State San Marcos (Saturday, 4 pm). 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 CSLA:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2024-25 season:

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2024-25 season following the 63-55 overtime loss to Cal State LA:

One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in 11 of the last 14 full seasons, and 38 times in the 53-year history of the program. WWU has 24 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 691, winning percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 20 of 25 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 1,123 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.