BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University freshman guard Mollie Olson scored a career-high 16 points to help lead the Vikings to a come-from-behind 73-61 victory over Western Oregon University on Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action on WECU Court in Carver Gym.
WWU used a 15-0 run over a four-minute stretch at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter to turn a 5-point deficit into a 10-point lead. The Viking gained their first lead of the game on the first career 3-pointer by sophomore forward Kelsey Rogers with 6-seconds left in the third quarter and out-scored the Wolves 26-16 in the final quarter for the 12-point victory.
The Vikings snapped a mini two-game losing streak to improve to 9-5 overall and are in 4th place in the GNAC standings with a 4-2 conference record. WOU dropped to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in league play.
Olson (Napavine, WA) was 3-for-6 from the floor, with all of her damage coming from beyond the arc going 3-for-4 from 3-point range. The true freshman was also 7-for-10 from the free throw line.
“I was focused on catching the ball and ready to shoot, which I’ve been working on a lot in practice,” said Olson following the game. “I thought on offense we were attacking hard and moving the ball well, and on defense we were getting out on shooters a lot better.”
Rogers (Bothell, WA/Lynnwood) overcame a slow shooting start to the game to finish with 16 points to tie for the team high. The sophomore was 2-for-8 shooting in the first half, before settling in and connecting on 5 of 8 shots in the second half to finish 7-for-16 from the floor.
Junior center Anna Schwecke (Evergreen, CO/Clear Creek/Colorado-Colorado Springs) came off the bench for the first time this season and nearly totaled a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds in 24 minutes of action.
Sophomore guards Emma Duff (Tumwater, WA/Black Hills) and Gracie Castaneda (Arlington, WA) both had 9 points for the Vikings.
Western Oregon was led by 16 points from Natalie DeLonge, and 11 apiece from Keyonna Jones and Ronnie Harris.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
WWU was out-rebounded 38-37, just the third time this season WWU has not won the rebounding battle…the Vikings were 12-for-22 from the free throw line, including 6-for-10 in the fourth quarter…WWU dominated the inside game, out-scoring WOU 42-24 in the paint…the Vikings bench out-scored WOU’s reserves 40-7…freshman guard Avery Dykstra recorded a team and career-high 6 assists…freshman forward Katrina Gimmaka started her first career game.
GAINING THE LEAD
WWU gained its first lead of the game at 47-45 following a 3-pointer by Kelsey Rogers with 6 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The 3-pointer was part of a 15-0 WWU run that spanned the third and fourth quarters.
KEEPING IT CLOSE
WWU again trailed by as many as 7 points in the second quarter at 34-27 with 1:59 remaining in the half. The Vikings closed the gap to a two-point deficit heading into the break by going on a 7-2 run, capped by a Lexie Bland layup with 10 seconds remaining in the half. Emma Duff led the Vikings with 5 points in the quarter. WWU shot 43.3 percent in the first half (13-for-30), while WOU was at 50.0 percent (14-for-28).
FIRST QUARTER COMEBACK
The Vikings trailed early 16-9, but erased the 7-point deficit by going on a 7-0 run. WOU pulled ahead with a short jump shot with 32-seconds remaining in the quarter to take the 18-16 lead. Mollie Olson and Anna Schwecke both scored 5 points to lead the Vikings, while WOU’s Keyonna Jones led all players with 8 points on 3-for-6 shooting.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Vikings lead the all-time series 52-10, including a 20-1 mark over the last 21 meetings dating back to the 2008-09 season.
