NAMPA, Idaho – The Western Washington University women's basketball team had its undefeated start to conference play with a 69-62 road loss against Northwest Nazarene University on Thursday.

NNU used a 21-2 scoring run in the second quarter to build a 42-24 halftime lead, and the Vikings late rally came up short in the seven-point road loss inside the Johnson Center. WWU remains near the top of the GNAC standings at 4-1 in conference play and 12-4 overall. NNU improved to 7-5 overall and 2-2 in GNAC games.

WWU trailed 42-24 at the half following a 21-2 run by NNU, with the Nighthawks out-scoring the Vikings 25-8 in the second quarter. The Vikings out-scored the Nighthawks 38-27 in the second half.

Senior forward Olivia Hodges led the Vikings with her 11th double-double in 16 games, recording game-highs with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Hodges was 6-for-11 from the field and perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Junior guard Libby Stump added 11 points and three assists before fouling out late in the fourth quarter and junior guard Joy Haltom added nine points.

The Vikings held a decisive 38-27 advantage in rebounding, including a 20-7 lead in offensive boards.

NNU (7-5, 2-2 GNAC) was led by 18 points from Trinidie Nichols, who also filled the stat sheet with four assists, three steals and three rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes. Kelly Garrity and Allie Hueckman also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points. The Nighthawks shot 46.8-percent for the game (22-for-47) and was 17-for-21 from the free throw line.

The Vikings (12-4, 4-1 GNAC) remains on the road in GNAC play taking on No. 16 nationally ranked Central Washington on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 5 pm in Ellensburg. All links to follow the Vikings on the road will be posted at WWUVikings.com.

WWU held a one-point lead at 22-21 at the 7:14 mark in the second quarter, but NNU went on a 21-2 run to grab a 42-24 halftime lead. The Nighthawks held the Vikings to two points over the final seven minutes of the quarter to turn a one-point deficit into an 18-point lead.

WWU endured just its fourth loss of the season, with the losses coming by a combined 14 points … head coach Carmen Dolfo coached in her 998 career game (all with the Vikings) with an all-time 721-277 record … Olivia Hodges recorded her 11th double-double in 16 games, a mark that leads all of NCAA Division II.

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Northwest Nazarene:

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

WWU dropped the first meeting of the season between the two schools with the Nighthawks visiting Bellingham February 7 … the Vikings and Nighthawks split the regular season series in 2024-25 with WWU also earning a GNAC quarterfinal victory … WWU leads the all-time series 38-19 with a 15-10 record inside the Johnson Center.

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 Thursday's games to open the 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.