Western Washington women’s basketball coach Carmen Dolfo came into the Jan. 9 game against Northwest Nazarene with 699 career wins. However, a tough offensive night caused the Vikings to lose to the Nighthawks 63-51.
“I don’t look at the 700, I just care about playing better than tonight,” Dolfo said. “We can’t let pressure bother us and we must stick to the game plan.”
The Vikings started the game with an 8-0 run, led by a layup from Alysn Deaver and 3-pointers from Mason Oberg and Maddy Grandbois. After missing its first six shots, Northwest Nazarene came back to finish the first quarter with a 13-8 Vikings lead.
The Nighthawks started the second quarter with a 7-1 run to take their first lead of the game at 15-14. Western failed to make its first eight shots and tied the game with a free throw from Olivia Wikstrom.
“I don’t think we moved the ball like we should have moved the ball and didn’t go with the shots that were open,” Dolfo said. “We were trying to do things that weren’t working.”
Northwest Nazarene and Western traded baskets throughout the final five minutes of the first half until Nighthawks’ Loy Waid gave them a 24-23 lead at halftime.
Gallery: Western women’s basketball fall to Northwest Nazarene
Grandbois started the third quarter with a floater to take a 25-24 lead. However, the lead disappeared on the next possession as Nighthawks’ Madeline Grebers nailed a 3-point shot. The Nighthawks went on a quick run to extend the lead until Demi Dykstra drew a foul. It was Dykstra’s first game back from a leg injury earlier this season.
“We needed her back out there with all the pressure, but it will take her some time to get back,” Dolfo said. “I didn’t want to play her as much as I did tonight but she is a big part of us.”
Dykstra finished with 10 points while Grandbois and Deaver led with 13 points each.
Northwest Nazarene extended its lead to 45-37 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Western shot 28.6%. The Vikings finished with a shooting percentage of 29.7.
Dykstra gave the Vikings a final shot with a 3-pointer to make it 55-51 with under three minutes remaining. Yet, Northwest Nazarene held on and secured the victory.
Western (8-6) returns to Carver Gymnasium at 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11 against Central Washington.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
