BELLINGHAM, Wash. – On a night where three amazing seniors were celebrated and five new members were inducted into WWU Athletics Hall of Fame … the best moment was saved for the end of the night when the Western Washington University women's basketball team cut down the net as 2026 GNAC Champions.

 

The Vikings soundly defeated Montana State Billings 78-55 for a 23-point victory, improving to 15-3 in GNAC play to win the program's seventh GNAC title (third in last five seasons).

 

After trailing by as many as nine points late in the second quarter, the Vikings went on a 10-0 run to take a one-point halftime lead and pulled away with a dominating second-half performance out-scoring MSUB 44-22. Winners of their last eight games, the Vikings improved to 23-6 overall and 11-0 in Carver Gym while overcoming Central Washington for the top spot in the conference standings.

 

WWU will be the No. 1 seed in the six-team GNAC Championships that open play next week (March 5-7) on WECU Court in Carver Gym, with the Vikings earning a quarterfinal-round bye. The Vikings will make their postseason debut next Friday (March 6) with a 2:15 pm game in the GNAC semifinal against the winner of the No. 4 Northwest Nazarene vs. No. 5 Western Oregon quarterfinal game.

 

The Vikings continued their late-season dominance improving to 11-1 over the last 12 games, with Western holding opponents to 47.5 points per game, recording an average scoring margin of +22.0 and limiting opponents to a combined 27.6 shooting percentage in games dating back to January 15.

 

WWU's balanced offensive performance was led by a career-high 26 points from Demi Dykstra on 8-for-17 shooting (8-for-8 free throws). The junior guard filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.

 

Senior forward Olivia Hodges continued her All-America-worthy season tying the WWU record with her 21st double-double, recording a career-best 22 rebounds and adding 16 points. Hodges has matched the double-double (points/rebounds) record set by Gina Sampson during the 1995-96 season. Hodges 22 boards were just shy of Sampson's school record 25 boards set during her record-breaking season. In 29 games this season, Hodges is averaging 16.2 points and 13.0 rebounds per game.

 

Junior guards Libby Stump and Joy Haltom added 10 points each, and post players Aspen Garrison and Vivienne Berrett both contributed eight points. WWU shot 49.2-percent for the game (32-for-65) and were 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Hodges' big night on the glass helped Western to a decisive 51-27 advantage in rebounding over MSUB.

 

MSUB (17-14, 9-9) completed the regular season and will be the No. 6 seed in the GNAC Championships next week in Bellingham. Kaitlin Grossman led the Yellowjackets with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 34 minutes. Cassie Chesnut neared a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

 

 

The Vikings claimed their seventh GNAC regular-season title, trailing only the nine by Alaska Anchorage. WWU has won three of the last five conference regular-season titles, also winning in back-to-back seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. WWU has also won four GNAC Tournament titles (2013, 2014, 2023, 2024) and will be going for its fifth postseason GNAC trophy next week hosting the tournament in Bellingham March 5-7.

 

 

The program celebrated seniors Olivia Hodges, Anna VanderYacht and Olivia Hodges prior to the final regular-season game on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Senior members of the WWU Cheer Team and the Viking Band were also celebrated for their hard work and dedication creating a great gameday atmosphere.

The Vikings (23-6, 15-3 GNAC) will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming GNAC Basketball Championships hosted by WWU in Carver Gym March 5-7. As GNAC regular-season champions, WWU earns a first-round bye and will open the postseason on Friday, March 6 in the semifinal round with the game at 2:15 pm on WECU Court in Carver Gym. The complete 2025-26 schedule complete with links to follow the Vikings at home and on the road will be posted at WWUVikings.com.

 

Here is a look at the statistical comparison between WWU and Montana State Billings:

 

 

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

 

 

WWU will serve as the host for the 2026 GNAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships held March 5-7 in Carver Gym. The top six teams in the standings for both men's and women's basketball at the end of the regular season will converge on Bellingham for the three-day tournament on WECU Court. More information on the GNAC Championships can be found at GNACSports.com with tickets currently on sale.

 

 

Thursday, March 5:

Quarterfinal 1: 12:00 pm – No. 6 seed Montana State Billings vs. No. 3 seed Saint Martin's

Quarterfinal 2: 2:15 pm – No. 5 seed Western Oregon vs. No. 4 seed Northwest Nazarene

 

Friday, March 6:

Semifinal 1: 12:00 pm – Winner Quarterfinal 1 vs. No. 2 seed Central Washington

Semifinal 2: 2:15 pm – Winner Quarterfinal 2 vs. No. 1 seed Western Washington

 

Saturday, March 7:

Championship: 5:00 pm – Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2

 

WWU earned the regular-season sweep over Montana State Billings, adding Saturday's 78-55 victory to a 59-56 three-point win over MSUB on December 3. The Vikings improved to 33-21 all-time vs. MSUB dating back to the first meeting in 1994-95. Western also leads the recent series 5-3 in the last eight meetings and 11-5 over the last 16 games since the 2018-19 season. WWU's record in home games vs. MSUB improved to 18-7.

 

WWU will be the No. 1 seed in the GNAC Championships, opening play next Friday after a quarterfinal bye, making its postseason debut in the 2:15 pm semifinal on WECU Court in Carver Gym. WWU will serve as host of the GNAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships that will be held March 5-7 in Bellingham. More information is available at GNACSports.com.

 

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

 

 

Here is a look at the final GNAC standings for the 2025-26 season. 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.

 

 

The Vikings have reached the 20-win mark with a 23-6 overall record this season, marking the 39th 20-win season in the 55-year history of the program and 25th in 35 seasons under head coach Carmen Dolfo.