The Basics

• Final score: Western Oregon 39, Western Washington 70
• Records: WOU 3-16, 2-9 GNAC; WWU 13-6, 9-2 GNAC
• The Vikings extended their advantage in the all-time series to 47-8.
• Location: Bellingham, Wash. – Whatcom Pavilion

 
How It Happened
Jordan Mottershaw got the Wolves started by putting up the first bucket of the game, but immediately after, the Vikings went on an 8-0 run, putting them at an early distance from Western Oregon. The Wolves fought to break up the Vikings' scoring streaks with steals and constant rebounds.
 
In the second quarter, Western Washington continued to extend their lead, yet there was a three-minute period where neither team scored. The Wolves finished the first half with 16 offensive rebounds and within 15 points of the Vikings.
 
Starting late in the third quarter and going into the fourth, Western Washington began to pull away from the Wolves as they went on a 13-0 run. Sydney Azorr ended the streak with a free throw four minutes into the final quarter. Despite the deficit, Western Oregon grabbed six consecutive points to end the game.
 
Ultimately, Western Oregon scored their most points in the first quarter (12 points) and proceeded to tally nine points in each of the remaining three quarters.
 
Wolves' Top Performers

• Kaylie Boschma led the Wolves with seven points, scoring one three-pointer and going 2-for-2 in free throws. She also had three rebounds.
• Emily Howey posted six points as she went 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Howey contributed five rebounds for the night.
• Sydney Azorr totaled six points, one assist, and four boards.
• Natalie DeLonge added six points, one assist, and two rebounds.

 
For the Vikings

• Taylor Peacocke reached over 1,000 career points after scoring 21 points during the game. Peacocke went 2-for-2 in three-pointers and shot a perfect 7-of-7 at the free throw line. She also added three assists, five steals, and three rebounds.
• Kiana Gandy totaled 15 points, going 6-for-10 from the field, 3-for-4 in free throws, and adding three assists and three rebounds.
• Kayla Bernsen added 14 points, two assists, six blocks, and led all players with 10 boards.

 
Stats of the Game

• The Wolves made more field goal attempts than the Vikings, but Western Washington converted more, going 27-for-46, while Western Oregon went 14-for-58 from the field.
• Western Oregon dominated in offensive rebounds, 17-6, while Western Washington at the upper hand in defensive rebounds, 28-14.
• Turnovers and points off of turnovers were similar as the Wolves scored 14 points off of the Vikings' 18 turnovers, and the Vikings scored 17 points off of the Wolves' 20 turnovers.
• Western Washington claimed the blocking battle, totaling 11 blocks, while the Wolves did not make any.

 
Coach Quotes
WOU head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter after the loss:

• "Western is a solid, well-coached team, and they were on a mission tonight. They defended us tough, and their big three [athletes] had a great night shooting."
• "I thought we had good energy going into the game. We had a fairly solid first half, grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and got nearly every fifty-fifty ball. We just were unable to convert. We put a lot of pressure on our defense when we struggle to score, and that has to change in order for us to compete."
• "Despite the outcome, there was never a point where we stopped playing hard, and that speaks to the character of these kids."

 
Up Next
The Wolves will conclude their road trip at Simon Fraser on Saturday, January 30 with game time starting at 5:15 p.m.