Women’s basketball adds two wins at Classic

Western women’s basketball senior guard Amanda Dunbar won tournament MVP after the Vikings won both games at the 14th Annual WWU Lynda Goodrich Women’s Basketball Classic on Nov. 26 and 27

Senior Lauren Hefflin breaks through two defenders and heads for the basket against Montana State University-Northern Nov. 27. Hefflin scored five points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Dunbar scored a game-high 16 points to help the Vikings defeat Montana State University-Northern 59-36 on Nov. 27, and also scored a game-high 11 points against Cal State University-East Bay as Western went on to win 68-39 on Nov. 26.

Dunbar and teammate Gabby Wade earned all-tournament honors. “I thought [Dunbar] played great,” sophomore center Britt Harris said. “She’s an awesome player and an [important] piece of our team.”

After making six 3-pointers over the tournament, Dunbar is now three 3-point field goals away from tying former Western women’s basketball player Jodie Kaczor’s career 3-point shooting record of 210.

“Being a shooter, you have to keep shooting,” senior center Lauren Hefflin said. “She had a tough time, but she kept shooting, so it got better for her.”

Against Montana, the women earned the rebounding edge 40-25. Hefflin had a game-high nine rebounds and Wade grabbed eight.

“I think rebounding, especially when we’re shooting a bad percentage, gives us second chances,” Hefflin said. “I think keeping the other team off the boards is a good way of limiting their shots. It definitely had a big impact on the win.”

Along with Dunbar’s 16 points, senior guard Megan Pinske tallied 12 points while sophomore guard Corinn Waltrip and junior forward Kristin Schramm both had nine points.

At halftime, Western led 26-18 after being down 10-12 earlier in the half. In the second half the Vikings pulled away, connecting on seven 3-pointers.

In the first game of the Lynda Goodrich Classic, Western defeated Cal State.

Pinske and Dunbar led all scorers with 11 points each, while Waltrip added to the balanced offense with 10 points.

After having a 24-2 run in the first half, Western held a 39-20 halftime lead. In the second half, Cal State could not lower Western’s margin to more than 15 points.

Western once again dominated the boards, out rebounding Cal State, 47-30. Hefflin led all players grabbing  a game-high 10 rebounds.

Even with the rebounding edge in both games, Harris said the team relies on its defense to win games.

“I think our defense determines how we’re playing our game,” Harris said. “Once our defense gets going, our offense kind of follows.”

After winning both games, Western shared the tournament title with Saint Martin’s University.

Western is now 4-0 and is ranked 24th in the latest USA Today/ESPN/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II Top 25.

Western begins conference play in their next game against Montana State University-Billings at 7 p.m., Dec. 4, at Carver Gym as the Vikings look to stay undefeated.

“It’s a big game.  It’s our first league game,” Hefflin said. “Montana State-Billings has some pretty good players, so were excited to be prepared and play a tough game.”