BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A dominating defensive effort by the Western Washington University women's basketball team fueled a 22-point victory over No. 12 nationally ranked Central Washington, 66-44, Thursday evening on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

The Vikings remained unbeaten in Carver Gym improving to 8-0 in home games, holding the first-place Wildcats to season low totals in points scored and field goal percentage (29.2). WWU earned its fifth win in the last six games to improve to 17-6 overall and 9-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. The Vikings remain tied for 2nd place in the conference standings Northwest Nazarene (Saturday's opponent) and Saint Martin's, one-game back of CWU (19-3, 10-2 GNAC).

The Wildcats scored the first six points of the game, but after that it was all Vikings in the 22-point victory. WWU held a 14-point lead (33-19) at halftime and expanded the advantage to as many as 25 points late in the fourth quarter. WWU avenged its 17-point road loss in Ellensburg (75-58) on January 10.

Western's balanced offensive attack featured four players scoring in double figures, led by junior guard Joy Haltom with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting (3-for-5 3FG). Junior guard Libby Stump and senior forward Aspen Garrison both scored 13 points and senior forward Olivia Hodges neared another double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Vivienne Berrett was 4-for-4 from the field for eight points in 13 minutes and junior guard Demi Dykstra had seven points and seven rebounds.

The Vikings limited all-time GNAC scoring leader and the No. 2 scorer in NCAA II this season Asher Cai to 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting, well below her scoring average entering the game of 23.0 points per game. CWU's 44 points and 29.2-percent shooting percentage were both season lows. The Wildcats were 1-for-14 from three-point range.

The Vikings (17-6, 9-3 GNAC) remain at home Saturday hosting Northwest Nazarene in a 5 pm game on WECU Court in Carver Gym. All links to follow the Vikings at home and on the road will be posted at WWUVikings.com.

The Vikings had one of their best first-half performances of the season, building a 33-19 halftime lead over the Wildcats. WWU rallied late in the first quarter going on a 10-2 run to lead 16-12 through the first 10 minutes. The Vikings continued their strong play holding the Wildcats to seven points in the second quarter to extend the lead to 14 points. Western shot 46.4-percent in the first half (13-for-28) with the defense limiting CWU to 6-for-22 shooting. 

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 and CWU split the regular-season series with each team winning on its home court. The Wildcats earned a 17-point win over the Vikings in Ellensburg on January 10 (75-58). The series is even 2-2 over the last two seasons as well. WWU leads the all-time series 105-19 with a 16-9 advantage in the last 25 games. The Vikings have won five of the last six meetings in Carver Gym and are 23-5 vs. the Wildcats in home games since 1998-99 (D2 era).

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. 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.