ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Western Washington University women's basketball team endured consecutive losses for the first time this season dropping Saturday's rivalry contest at Central Washington 75-58 inside Nicholson Pavilion.

The No. 16 nationally ranked Wildcats remained unbeaten at 5-0 in GNAC play and improved to 14-1 overall with the 17-point victory over the Vikings.

WWU trailed by as many as 30 points in the contest, but finished with a strong fourth quarter scoring 26 points over the final 10 minutes. The Vikings dropped to 12-5 overall and 4-2 in conference tie to slip into a third-place tie in the GNAC standings three weeks into the league season.

Junior guard Libby Stump led all players with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting, her fourth 20-point performance of the season. Senior forward Olivia Hodges fell just short of another double-double contributing 11 points and nine rebounds.

CWU got off to a quick start out-scoring WWU 23-12 in the opening quarter and never trailed after the opening two minutes. The Vikings were limited to 33.9-percent shooting in the contest (21-for-62), but was perfect from the charity stripe going 13-for-13. The Wildcats shot 55.6-percent for the game (25-for-45) and were 6-for-12 from beyond the three-point arc.

Preseason GNAC Player of the Year pick Asher Cai led the Wildcats with 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting and dished out five assists. Kayla Thornton added 12 points on efficient 5-for-7 shooting and matched Cai with five assists. Fiona Snashall contributed a 11-point, 12-rebound double-double for CWU.

The Vikings (12-5, 4-2 GNAC) return to Carver Gym to open a three-game homestand by hosting the Alaska schools next week. WWU entertains Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday on WECU Court for a Throwdown Thursday and Pink Night game starting at 7 pm. Western takes on Alaska Anchorage on Saturday for Boys & Girls Club Night with tip-off at 5 pm. All links to follow the Vikings on the road will be posted at WWUVikings.com.

Head coach Carmen Dolfo coached in her 999 career game (all with the Vikings) with an all-time 721-278 record.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Central Washington:

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2025-26 season:

WWU dropped the first of two regular-season games vs. CWU with the return rivalry game in Bellingham scheduled for February 5 in Carver Gym. WWU and CWU split the series last season with each team winning at home. The Wildcats won 74-63 in Ellensburg and Western earned the win in Carver Gym 67-65 in come-from-behind fashion for Carmen Dolfo's 700th career victory. WWU leads the all-time series 104-19 with a 15-9 advantage in the last 24 meetings. WWU had won seven of its last eight games in Nicholson Pavilion, including non-CWU games.

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2025-26 schedule and results:

Here is a look at the GNAC standings and schedule following Saturday's games to close third week of the conference slate. Updated conference statistics and postseason information 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 5-7 in Carver Gym in Bellingham.