MONMOUTH, Ore. – Led by a 20-point, 16-rebund double-double from senior guard Olivia Wikstrom, the Western Washington University women's basketball team opened the new year with a dominating 63-30 road victory over Western Oregon Thursday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

The Vikings defense limited WOU to under 20-percent shooting in the game (.197/12-for-61) and nearly held the Wolves without a field goal in the first quarter. The 30 points allowed are fewest allowed by a Viking team since holding Lincoln to 26 points on December 2, 2021 and the fewest in a GNAC breaking the old mark of 32 points allowed in a 77-32 win over Alaska Fairbanks on February 26, 2009. WWU just missed the GNAC record for fewest points allowed in a conference game, 27 set by Saint Martin's in 2003 vs. Western Oregon. 

WWU improved to 2-1 in GNAC play and 7-5 overall with the 33-point victory. Head coach Carmen Dolfo is now two wins shy of 700 for her career with a record of 698-267 (.723) in 34 seasons at Western. WOU dropped to 5-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Wikstrom led three Vikings in double-figure scoring, scoring her 20 points on 7-for-17 shooting with four three-pointers. Her 16 rebounds are a single-game career high and the most by a Viking since Brooke Walling also had 16 on December 14, 2023 at Dominican.

Junior forward Alyson Deaver scored in double-digits for the 11th time in 12 games with 11 points and neared a double-double with nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Jaydn Watts made her second consecutive start and had a big game with 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.

WWU's starting lineup produced 58 of the 63 points, with senior guard Maddy Grandbois (9 points) and junior guard Mason Oberg (8 points) also putting up good scoring performances.

The Vikings dominated the boards with a 55-33 rebounding advantage over the Wolves and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. The 55 rebounds are tied for 10th-most in a game during the NCAA era (since 1998-99) and the most by a Viking squad since 2014.

Western Oregon was led by eight points by Enid Vaifanua and six points by Selai Niu. WWU held Bella Pedrojetti to no points after entering the contest ranked 27th in the nation averaging 18.3 points per game.

Junior forward Ellie Croco made her season debut coming off the bench to contribute two points in 10 minutes of action…the transfer from Saint Mary's did not see action after coming off a knee injury until Thursday's game…Mason Oberg hit a pair of three pointers to gain sole possession of 10th place in WWU history with 126 career three-pointers…Olivia Wikstrom recorded her team-leading fourth double-double of the season and is now averaging 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game…Alyson Deaver has scored in double-digits in 11 of 12 games and is averaging 14.5 points per game…head coach Carmen Dolfo moved to within two wins of 700 for her career with an all-time record of 698-267 (.723).

The Vikings (7-5, 2-1 GNAC) remain on the road Saturday with a GNAC contest at Saint Martin's with tip-off set for 3 pm inside Marcus Pavilion. The Vikings next home games are scheduled for January 9 vs. Northwest Nazarene and January 11 vs. Central Washington, both featuring a 7 pm tip-off on WECU Court in Carver Gym. 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 Western Oregon:

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

The Vikings improved to 60-11 all-time vs. the Wolves and have won 28 of the last 30 in the series dating back to the 2008-09 season. Thursday's victory extended WWU's winning streak over WOU to seven straight.

WWU head coach Carmen Dolfo is approaching another career milestone only two wins from 700 for her career. In 34 seasons leading the program Dolfo has accumulated 698 wins and has a .723 winning percentage (698-267). Here are a few fun facts about Dolfo approaching 700 career wins:

• Among all-time NCAA Division II women's basketball head coaches, only 12 have reached the 700-win mark.
• Among active NCAA II women's basketball head coaches, only 4 have reached the 700-win mark.
• Only 43 head coaches at all levels of NCAA women's basketball have reached 700 career wins.
• Dolfo is set to become the 17th active women's basketball head coach with 700 career wins.

Here is a look at the 2024-25 GNAC Women's Basketball standings and overall records following Thursday's games. Updated standings and conference statistics can be viewed online at GNACSports.com. The top six teams in the conference standings at the end of the regular season will qualify for the GNAC Championships held March 6-8 in Lacey:

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2024-25 season following 33-point victory at Western Oregon:

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 698 (2 from 700), 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 1,130 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.