MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon Wolves' late rally fell just short on Thursday as the Western Washington Vikings held on for a 62-53 win at NPE Gym.

Western Washington (12-9, 7-6 GNAC) never trailed in the game, running their lead to eight points just four minutes into the night.

Junior Anna Schwecke scored eight of her 11 points in the first quarter to get the Vikings' offense rolling. After going 4-for-6 from the field in the opening period, she would take just three more shots the rest of the game.

Western Oregon (7-12, 4-9 GNAC) was plagued early on by turnovers, committing 10 in the first half including eight in the second quarter.

"Costly turnovers early and scoring droughts in the second and third really put us in a deep hole going into the fourth," said Western Oregon head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter. "Defensively, I thought we did a good job limiting their post touches, forcing their guards to take more shots and they stepped up and made them."

The Wolves' deficit grew to as many as 20 in the second quarter before a 6-0 run to close the half made it a 38-24 WWU lead going into the break.

Junior Natalie DeLonge scored 10 points in the first half, going 5-of-7 from the field. She finished with a team-high 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and an assist.

Trailing 53-36 going to the fourth quarter, Western Oregon made a run in the final period that would put the outcome in question. Holding the Vikings to just nine points in the fourth, points came at a premium for both sides. Teresa Acock's 3-pointer in the first minute was the only bucket for either team for nearly six minutes of play as a scoring drought lasted until 4:23 was left in the game.

Trailing by 16 with 3:27 left to play, WOU began a 10-0 run capped by a Ronnie Harris three to get within two possessions.

Lexie Bland went 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the final minute to help seal the win, but not before the Vikings had their lead close to squandered.

"Despite being down 21, I thought we played with a sense of urgency on the defensive side of the ball and strung some stops together to close the gap and give ourselves a chance," added Howard Carpenter.

The Wolves picked 10 steals as a team, forcing 15 total turnovers.

Olivia Denton finished with four steals along with 10 points and five rebounds. Keyonna Jones added on another 14 points and three steals.

Next up for the Wolves is a meeting with Simon Fraser on Saturday. Playing in the second game of a doubleheader, tipoff against the Clan Feb. 9 is set for 7:30 p.m. at NPE Gym.