BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Led by another strong defensive performance and hot shooting performance, the Western Washington University women's basketball team earned a 28-point victory over Northwest Nazarene, 82-54, Saturday night in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on WECU Court in Carver Gym.

WWU won its third consecutive game and sixth in the last seven to improve to 18-6 overall and remain in a second-place tie in the GNAC standings at 10-3, one game back of first place Central Washington. The Vikings also remained unbeaten in nine games in Carver Gym this season.

After holding first-place Central Washington to a season-low 44 points in Thursday's 22-point victory, the Vikings defensive effort held NNU to a season-low .268 field goal percentage and the second-fewest points in a game this season. The Nighthawks (14-7, 9-4 GNAC) entered Saturday's game in a second-place tie with WWU and Saint Martin's.

As good as the Vikings defensive effort was, the offense was just as strong with the starting five all scoring in double digits. WWU shot 52.5-percent for the game (31-for-59) and was 7-for-20 from three-point range. The 82 points scored were tied for second-most in a game this season, trailing only 84 against CUI.

Western never trailed in the game while leading by as many 34 points late in the fourth quarter. With the game tied 11-11 midway through the opening quarter, the Vikings put together an 18-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to set the tone for the rest of the game and led 46-23 at halftime.

Over the last seven games the Vikings have gone 6-1 while limiting opposing teams to 50.0 points per game and a .295 combined field goal percentage.

The Vikings were powered by a pair of double-doubles and five players scoring in double-digits. Junior guard Libby Stump scored 12 points and dished out 11 assists for her second game with double-digits in points and assists in a game this season. Senior forward Olivia Hodges recorded her 16th double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Hodges ranks second in NCAA Division II averaging 12.2 rebounds per game and with her 16 double-doubles.

Senior forward Aspen Garrison (7-for-9 FG) and junior guard Demi Dykstra (5-for-11 FG) tied for the game high with 16 points. Junior guard Joy Haltom scored 10 points and was 3-for-4 from long distance. Sophomore forward Vivienne Berrett contributed eight points in 16 minutes of action.

Stump's 11-assist effort was part of a 23-to-8 assist-to-turnover ratio performance for the Vikings.

The Nighthawks had 10 players score points, but none in double-digits while being held below 60 points for the fourth time in 21 games. Trinidie Nichols led NNU with nine points and five rebounds.

The Vikings (18-6, 10-3 GNAC) return to the road for their next three games, beginning with the annual Alaska road trip facing Alaska Anchorage on Thursday (7 pm AKT) and Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday (3 pm AKT). All links to follow the Vikings at home and on the road will be posted at WWUVikings.com.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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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:

The Vikings and Nighthawks split the regular-season series with each team winning on their home court. NNU defeated WWU 69-62 in Nampa on January 8. WWU leads the all-time series 39-19 with a 20-8 record in home 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. 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.