Western Washington University women’s basketball earned its first victory of the season against Cal State East Bay, 84-59, Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Carver Gymnasium.
“It means a lot,” guard Demi Dykstra said. “We had two tough losses in California and it was fun to win together.”
Dykstra gave the Vikings an early 12-3 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter with a pair of 3-point shots.
“My teammates set me up perfectly for those two 3-pointers and it got us rolling,” Dykstra said. “We played really together, which opened up driving lanes and shots for me and opportunities for me to kick it to my teammates.”
Gallery: Western women’s hoops takes down Cal State East Bay
The Vikings extended their lead by going on a 17-4 run toward the end of the first quarter to take a commanding 26-11 lead.
“When we share and move the ball, we do a great job,” coach Carmen Dolfo said. “We have to be focused on what we are good at.”
The Pioneers outscored Western 33-31 in the second and third quarters because of several mistakes on both sides of the ball. The Vikings had 12 turnovers and shot 10 for 27 during that span.
With about three minutes left in the third quarter, Cal State East Bay slimmed the lead to single digits for the first time since the first quarter. Yet, the Vikings responded in the final quarter and shared the ball well to secure the victory.
Western had a 20-5 run from the end of the third quarter until the five-minute mark in the fourth. During that span, Maddy Granbois and Mason Oberg each scored five points and Olivia Wikstrom had four.
Oberg sealed the game with a pair of free throws and the Vikings bumped its record to 1-2 overall They will return to action at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 against Azusa Pacific in Seattle.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
