Women's Basketball | 2/21/2009 8:02:09 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Western Oregon University women's basketball team could not overcome a late 18-5 run by Western Washington as it fell on the road 83-67, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference showdown, Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Vikings, which are ranked fourth in the NCAA west region, improved to 16-7 on the season and to 8-4 in the GNAC. The loss was the fifth straight for the Wolves as they fell to 8-15 and 3-9 in conference.

Katie Torland led all scorers with 22 points but was limited to just two rebounds, matching her season-low. Shayla Corder registered 14 points for the Wolves as she went 5-of-6 from the field and 3-of-5 at the line. Whitney Chase and Sara Zahler both chipped in with 10 points apiece and Chase led WOU with six boards. Amanda Dunbar put up 21 points for the Vikings in the win.

"I was really proud of our effort today," said Western Oregon head coach Greg Bruce. "Everyone came to play today. Our girls went with the game plan and our competitiveness was unbelievable."

After falling behind by as many as 13 in the first half the Wolves fought back to be down just five at the half at 37-32. Western Oregon then opened the second half on a 7-0 run to take the lead at 39-37. The Vikings would then make a 13-4 run to recapture the lead which it would never relinquish. Western Oregon would cut it to eight points at 58-50 but WWU answered with an 18-5 run to seal the game.

The Wolves suited only eight players for the game but still hung with the No. 4 team in the region on the boards, losing the rebounding battle by just one (29-28). WOU was hurt in the turnover department where it committed 24 turnovers to Vikings' 14 which led to a 16-3 advantage for WWU in fast break points. Western Oregon did get to the free throw line 28 time in the game and converted on 22 of its attempts as it outscored WWU 22 to 13 at the charity stripe.

"I just hope we can bottle the effort we had out here tonight and bring it to practice next week as we get ready for our home stand," continued Bruce.

The Western Oregon women's basketball team will begin its three-game home stand against Northwest Nazarene Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7:00 p.m., before facing Seattle Pacific Saturday, Feb. 28, and a rematch with Western Washington on Thursday, Mar. 5.