BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 13 Western Washington University women's basketball team continues their homestand at WECU Court in Carver Gym this week with a two-game stretch against Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 1) and Alaska Anchorage (Feb. 3). 

 

WWU carries a seven-game winning streak into the final two games of the homestand, after big wins over Seattle Pacific and previously 9th-ranked MSU Billings. The Vikings are 16-3 overall and tied for first place in the conference standings with an 8-1 mark. 

 

Western will entertain the Seawolves and Nanooks in a pair of 7 pm GNAC contests in the heart of the WWU campus inside Carver Gym, with the Vikings owning a perfect 10-0 in home games on WECU Court this season. The Vikings have won their last 14 games on WECU Court dating back to last season, with the last defeat a 66-64 loss in overtime to MSUB on February 16, 2023.

 

Tickets are available online via wwuvikings.com/Tickets and the Carver Gym Box Office opens one hour prior to tip-off for all games. Free parking is available on campus in the 19G lot for general fans and season ticket holders can park in 9G with their dedicated pass. More info at wwuvikings.com/Parking.

 

The Vikings are coming off a pair of home victories last week, defeating Seattle Pacific (73-61) and MSUB (76-68) to move into a tie for first place in the GNAC standings. WWU is listed No. 13 in the WBCA coaches poll and No. 11 in the D2CSC media poll. 

 

Thursday's game vs. Fairbanks will feature the faculty and staff appreciation game, where all faculty and staff will earn free admission to the match. While the Saturday game vs. Anchorage is the Breast Cancer Awareness Game, where fans are encouraged to wear pink.

 

WWU remains one of the top defensive teams in the nation holding opponents to 57.9 points per game and limiting teams to a 34.5 field goal percentage. The Vikings offense has surged averaging 78.8 over the last seven games and rank 2nd in the GNAC averaging 72.8 points per game.

 

Senior All-American Brooke Walling continues to lead the Vikings averaging 16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, paces the GNAC with nine double-doubles and ranks second in NCAA II with a .634 field goal percentage. Sophomore guard Mason Oberg returned to the court last week and is averaging 11.5 points per game. Junior forward Aspen Garrison (10.2) also averages double-digits in scoring. The Vikings balanced offensive attack features six players averaging at least 6.0 points per game, with the team leading the league in shooting at 47.5-percent. Senior guard Steph Peterson has been running the offense leading the GNAC in assists and steals averaging 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

 

 

The Viking carry a current 7-game winning streak into Thursday's game vs. Alaska Fairbanks, a string of wins that started with an 86-45 victory over Alaska Fairbanks on January 6. WWU is three wins short of recording its 27th double-digit winning streak in program history.

 

Through the first nine games of the 18-game Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule, the Vikings are tied for 1st place in the standings with Montana State Billings at 8-1 in league play. The second half of the conference slate begins this week with Western hosting the Alaska schools. The Vikings will have four home games and five road games in the final nine games of the regular season leading up to the GNAC Championships that will feature the top six teams in the standings playing in a the three-day tournament March 7-9 in Ellensburg.

 

WWU regained the top spot in the D2CSC West Region poll with 50 points and received all five first-place votes. The Vikings are listed ahead of No. 2 Azusa Pacific (18-3), No. 3 Montana State Billings (17-4), No. 4 Dominican (16-3) and No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona (13-5). Saturday's opponent – Alaska Anchorage – is listed No. 9 in this week's West Region poll.

 

The Vikings are perfect at home this season in Carver Gym, sporting an 10-0 record on WECU Court. WWU has won 42 of its last 46 games on WECU Court combining to go 42-4 since the 2019-20 season.

 

If you don't read anything past this portion of the preview on the Vikings, you should find out everything you need to know on the Vikings in the following bullet points:

 

·         The Record – Off to a 16-3 start to the season (8-1 in GNAC play) with 3-1 record against ranked opponents.

·         Home Sweet Home – Perfect 10-0 record on WECU Court in Carver Gym this season…over last five seasons (since 2019-20) WWU is 42-4 in home games.

·         Home Winning Streak – Vikings have won last 14 home games dating back to last season.

·         National Polls – Current national rankings of No. 13 (WBCA) and No. 11 (D2CSC).

·         West Region Ranking – Holds No. 1 spot in D2CSC West Regional Poll receiving all five first-place votes.

·         All Around Brooke – Brooke Walling leads the team in scoring (16.8), rebounds (9.3), blocked shots (2.4) and field goal percentage (.634/135-for-213)…paces the GNAC with nine double-doubles while ranking 4th in scoring average, 2nd in rebounding, 1st in field goal pct., and 2nd in blocked shots.

·         National FG Pct Leaders – Brooke Walling ranks 2nd in NCAA II with a 63.4 field goal percentage (135-for-213), trailing only Lindsey Taylor of Carson-Newman (.641).

·         Double Doubles – Brooke Walling has recorded nine double-doubles through the first 19 games of the season to lead the GNAC and tie for 10th in NCAA II…25 double-doubles during WWU career, including 11 in 2022-23.

·         Steph's Steals and Assists – Senior Steph Peterson leads the GNAC averaging 4.3 assists per game and 2.6 steals per game.

·         3 for THREE – Junior Riley Dykstra is shooting 46.0-percent from three-point range (29-for-63) to rank 2nd in the GNAC…also 9th overall in the conference with a .517 field goal pct. (74-for-143) and 8th with 3.2 assists per game…also 24th averaging 9.7 points per game for the season.

·         Always Dancing – Made 19th NCAA Championships appearance in 24 possible seasons in 2022-23.

·         Back-to-Back GNAC Champions – Won 2021-22 and 2022-23 GNAC regular-season titles.

·         That's a SWAT – 2nd in the GNAC and tied-6th in NCAA II averaging 5.5 blocked shots per game (104 total blocked shots).

·         Defensive Lockdown – Ranks 12th in NCAA II in opponent field goal percentage holding opponents to .345 from the field…also limiting teams to 57.9 points per game to lead the GNAC and rank No. 32 in NCAA II.

·         On the Mark – Leads the GNAC and ranks No. 4 NCAA II with .475 field goal percentage (512-for-1077).

·         Postseason Pulse – Program has played in the postseason (conference, regional, NCAA) in 48 of 51 possible seasons.

·         Coach Dolfo – Head Coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program and 40th overall associated with WWU Basketball as a student-athlete and coach…all-time record of 683-258 (.725)…23 seasons with 20+ wins.

 

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

 

 

Late in the first quarter in the win over No. 9 Montana State Billings, senior Brooke Walling reached the 1,000 point mark as a Viking, adding to already reaching the mark for her collegiate career adding in points scored in two seasons at Fresno State. Walling became the 29th player in program history to score at least 1,000 points in a Western uniform and is just over 100 points shy of cracking the program top 20.

 

Thanks to a partnership with WECU and The Foundation for WWU & Alumni, all current WWU students will receive free admission to all regular-season athletic events in Carver Gym and at Harrington Field. Students just need to show their W card at the door and then head over to the WECU Student Section to cheer on the Viks. Parking for all WWU home events in Carver Gym is also free and now located in the 19G Lot by the Student Recreation Center. Season ticket parking will be in the 9G lot. A parking map is available at wwuvikings.com.

 

Parking for all WWU home events in Carver Gym is free and now located in the 19G Lot by the Student Recreation Center. Season ticket parking will be in the 9G lot. A parking map is available at wwuvikings.com.

 

Senior All-American forward Brooke Walling leads the GNAC and ranks tied for 10th in NCAA II recording a double-double in nine of 19 games this season. Walling is nearly averaging a double-double with 16.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while also shooting a GNAC-best 63.4-percent from the field (135-for-213). Here is a look at the GNAC leaders in double-doubles in 2023-24:

 

 

The Vikings rank 2nd in the GNAC averaging 72.8 points per game, a mark that is also No. 47 in NCAA II. Over the last seven games Western's offense has surged averaging 78.8 points per game during the seven-game win streak, including a 100-point output against Central Washington.

 

WWU leads the GNAC and ranks in the top 5 in NCAA II (No. 4) with a team field goal percentage of 47.5, connecting on 512-of-1077 total shots. Here is a look at the national top 10 for shooting efficiency:

 

 

Here is a look at the series history between WWU and opponents this week:

 

·         Alaska Fairbanks: The Vikings defeated the Nanooks 86-45 on Jan. 6 in Fairbanks…WWU leads the all-time series 57-5 with a current 27-game winning streak dating back to the 2008-09 season…the Vikings are perfect in home games vs. UAF at 27-0.

·         Alaska Anchorage: WWU was defeated by UAA 61-54 on Jan. 4 in Anchorage…the seven-point loss is WWU's only blemish in GNAC play this season and snapped a five-game winning streak vs. the Seawolves…WWU swept the series last year and leads the all-time series 35-29 (according to WWU records) with an 18-10 record in home games (won three straight).

1.      

WWU's home games this week will feature a live webcast on YouTube provided by Vikings TV. All live links to watch the Vikings throughout the season are available at wwuvikings.com/Live. All home games during the 2023-24 season will stream live on YouTube via Vikings TV and every away GNAC game contest will feature a webcast on YouTube produced by the visiting team. To watch WWU home matches on your Smart TV, navigate to the YouTube application and search for WWU Athletics, or for away games search for the opposing school's YouTube channel (example: WWU Athletics). All WWU links to follow the Vikings online can be found online, but be sure to bookmark the following links for easy access:

 

·         Vikings TV (WWU home matches)

·         GNAC Live Streams

·         Direct Link to watch WWU games (wwuvikings.com/WBB_Watch)

·         Direct Link to follow WWU games via live stats (wwuvikings.com/WBB_Stats)

 

WWU heads into the week as one of the top defensive teams in the nation, ranking 12th in NCAA II limiting opponents to a .345 field goal percentage and listed tied-6th averaging 5.5 blocked shots per game. The Vikings are also listed No. 32 in the nation holding opponents to 57.9 points per game.

WWU enters this week ranked No. 11 in the D2CSC (College Sports Communicators) National Poll, No. 13 in the WBCA Coaches Poll, and No. 1 in the West Region. The Vikings have appeared in each of the last 46 national rankings dating back to the 2021-22 season.

 

Senior guard Steph Peterson earned the GNAC Player of the Week award for January 22-28 for her play in a pair of WWU wins. Peterson averaged 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 5.5 steals per game in wins over Seattle Pacific and No. 9 MSU Billings.

 

Senior Brooke Walling crossed the 1,000-point mark for her collegiate career with a three-pointer at the 6:05 mark in the second quarter in WWU's Dec. 16 game at Cal State East Bay. Walling has combined for 1,153 points in 132 collegiate games, with 1,012 in 76 games with the Vikings (13.3 ppg). Brooks is one of just 29 players in program history to score at least 1,000 points as a Vikings. Walling began her collegiate career at Fresno State totaling 141 points in 56 games for the Bulldogs.

 

 

Here is an updated look at the 2023-24 GNAC Women's Basketball standings following heading into the start of the second half of the conference season. WWU is tied for 1st place at 8-1 in league play with nine GNAC games remaining. The top six teams in the standings following the regular season will qualify for the GNAC Championships held March 7-9 in Ellensburg:

 

 

Junior forward Aspen Garrison returned home to Bellingham as a transfer from Saint Mary's College…getting the chance to play for her Mother, longtime head coach Carmen Dolfo. Aspen is a product of Sehome High School and spent two seasons at SMC prior to transferring back home for the 2023-24 season. In 19 games this season she is averaging 10.2 and 4.8 rebounds per game. The Cascadia Daily News published a great story on the family connection that is worth a read.

 

The WWU roster once again shows a pair of Dykstra's, but this year it features cousins Riley (junior guard) and Demi (freshman guard). Riley teamed with her older sister Avery (graduated last year) the last three years playing together in a pair of NCAA Championships appearances. Riley and Demi are the latest in a long line of Dykstra family members that have had a big impact on WWU Athletics. Uncle Grant was a Division II Basketball All-American in 2005-06 and won the 2006 V Foundation Comeback award. Demi's father, Greg, was an all-conference football player, and mother, Kelly, was an all-conference basketball player. The Dykstra cousins are local products that prepped at Lynden Christian, playing two years in high school together.

 

Over the last four seasons (since 2019-20), the Vikings have combined to go 93-22 for a .806 winning percentage. WWU is the two-time defending GNAC regular-season champions and played in the 2022 NCAA II National Championship Game.

Seniors Brooke Walling (transfer from Fresno State) reached 1,000 career collegiate points in mid-December and Steph Peterson (transfer from Cameron) is nearing the milestone scoring mark, just 13 points shy of 1,000. Here is a look at their collegiate points nearing the scoring milestone:

 

·         Brooke Walling (1,153 points – 1,012 in 74 games at WWU, 141 in 56 games at Fresno State)

·         Steph Peterson (987 points – 224 in 45 games at WWU, 763 in 73 games at Cameron)

 

Here is a listing of individual honors for Viking players during the 2023-24 season:

 

Brooke Walling:

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic MVP

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC & GNAC Player of the Year

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Nov. 6-12 & Dec. 11-19)

Stephanie Peterson:

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 22-28)

Riley Dykstra: 

·         GNAC Player of the Week (Jan. 8-14)

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Mason Oberg:

·         Lynda Goodrich Classic All-Tournament Team

·         Preseason All-GNAC

Aspen Garrison:

·         WWU Veterans Day Classic All-Tournament Team

WWU is coming off a double GNAC Championship season in 2022-23, winning both the regular season and postseason conference titles. WWU won its sixth GNAC regular-season title, adding to championships won in 2001-02, 2005-06, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2021-22. WWU also won back-to-back GNAC Tournament titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and again last season.

 

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2023-24 season heading into home games this week vs. the Alaska schools:

 

 

The Vikings reached the 20-win mark (24-4) in 2022-23, marking the 37th 20-win season in the 52-year history of the program, and 23rd in 32 seasons under head coach Carmen Dolfo. WWU is four wins away from another 20-win campaign in 2023-24.

 

Head coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 33rd season leading the program, owning an all-time record of 683-258 (.725) to rank amongst the active and career leaders at the NCAA Division II level for career wins and winning percentage. Entering the 2023-24 season, Dolfo ranked 11th all-time in NCAA II in wins. Dolfo has led the Vikings to 19 trips to the NCAA Championships and a trio of Elite 8 appearances. She became the winningest coach in WWU Athletics history when she collected victory No. 519 on Dec. 3, 2015 vs. Alaska to pass former men's basketball coach Brad Jackson (518-279). Dolfo tallied her 600th career victory on January 11, 2020 vs. Seattle Pacific, in her 840th career game. Dolfo became the 36th active NCAA women's head coach across all divisions to join the 600-win club and is one of 73 women's coaches all-time in NCAA history to reach the milestone. WWU has recorded 23 seasons with 20-or-more wins under Dolfo. She was named the 2021-22 GNAC Coach of the Year. That was her fifth GNAC honor and 12th Coach of the Year accolade overall. Dolfo was also a volleyball and basketball student-athlete at WWU in the 1980s.

 

The 2023-24 coaching staff includes 12th-year assistant head coach Stacey Turrell, assistant coach Bobbi Westendorf, volunteer assistant Mike Li, and student assistants George Irwin, Ben Allen and Grant Brewer.

 

Two WWU women's basketball coaches have more than 400 career victories, with current head coach Carmen Dolfo amassing 683 wins and Hall of Fame coach Lynda Goodrich totaling 411 wins leading the Vikings for 19 seasons from 1971-1990. The program owns an all-time record of 1115-393 for a career winning percentage of .739.

 

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 683, 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 1,115 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.