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Jan. 14, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

UPDATE: Still searching for a winning formula, the Western Washington University women's basketball team returns home to face nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Northwest Nazarene University on Saturday (7 p.m.) in a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference contests on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

The Vikings, 3-12 overall and 0-3 in conference action, have won just one of their last 11 games, and they have lost a school-record six straight contests. Six of their losses have been to top 25-ranked teams.

Western dropped a pair of conference road contests last week after holding a one-point halftime lead in both. The Vikings gave up 19 straight points over a stretch of eight minutes to open the second half in a 64-52 loss at Seattle U., and allowed 17 consecutive points over a span of 4:30 during the second period in a 69-67 loss at Montana State Billings.

Western, historically one of the nation's top programs, has struggled following the loss of two starters with season-ending injuries and having five other players miss a total of 13 games with assorted health problems. That has forced head coach Carmen Dolfo (17th season, 350-134) to use nine different starting lineups already this season.

The latest additions to the injury list are starting junior forward Sarah Schramm (5.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg), who missed last week's games with a wrist injury, and reserve sophomore center Tara Holgate (6.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .583 FG Pct., 18 blocks), who is out indefinitely after suffering a broken thumb against Seattle U. that will require surgery.

Seattle Pacific, ranked No.4 in the latest USA Today/ESPN Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, is unbeaten at 13-0 overall and 4-0 in GNAC play, coming off a hard-fought 58-55 win Saturday over No.7 Alaska Anchorage. The Falcons, who are the defending league champion and were the preseason coaches favorite, have won 99 of 110 conference games over the last seven seasons.

The Falcons have three returning starters, all of whom were GNAC all-stars a year ago. The trio includes 6-2 junior center Kelsey Hill (10.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, .544 FG Pct.), a first-team pick; 5-9 senior guard Jackie Hollands (11.8 ppg), a second-team choice; and 5-5 senior guard Beth Christensen (6.2 ppg, 4.9 apg-leads GNAC), who received honorable mention and led the league in assists last year.

Two more returnees complete the starting lineup for coach Julie van Beek (3rd year, 57-15, overall, 219-134, 12 years). They are 5-9 senior forward Jessie Christensen (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .554 FG Pct.) and 5-10 senior forward Libby Magnuson (7.4 ppg).

A top newcomer for SPU is 5-11 sophomore forward Kelsey Burns (7.0 ppg), who was the University of Arizona's Freshman of the Year last season.

Northwest Nazarene is 9-4 overall (at Central Washington on Jan. 17) and 2-2 in conference play, narrowly losing 52-50 to Alaska Anchorage last Thursday. The Crusaders are led by three returnees, 6-2 junior center Jennifer Williams (12.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, .508 FG Pct.), who missed last season with a back injury; 5-11 sophomore forward Kristin Hein (11.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and 6-0 sophomore forward Nichole Schutte (11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .511 FG Pct.).

Three starters back for coach Kelli Lindley (8th year, 118-90) are 5-7 sophomore guard Janee Olds (8.9 ppg), 5-9 sophomore guard Brittney Roggenkamp (8.4 ppg) and 5-7 junior guard Mallory Whipple (6.5 ppg).

Redshirt freshman guard Amanda Dunbar leads the Vikings and ranks fourth among GNAC leaders with a 13.9 scoring average. She scored 22 points in the loss at MSU Billings, including 12 in the final three minutes as Western nearly overcame a 14-point second-half deficit.

Junior center Claire Pallansch, the only Viking player to start every game this season, is averaging 11.3 points with team bests of 7.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. She ranks second in the league in blocks and fourth in rebounds.

Freshman guard Marelle Moehrle, who is averaging 7.9 points and shooting 39.7 percent (25-of-63) from 3-point range, has moved into the starting lineup on a permanent basis.

Rounding out the first five are junior point guard India Soo, who is averaging 8.3 points and a team-best 3.4 assists, and sophomore forward Gabby Wade, who is averaging 6.5 rebounds with 43 percent of them (45 of 98) coming on the offensive glass. She has had double-figure boards in three of the last four games, averaging 9.4 during that stretch.

Returning to action after missing six games with a knee injury was reserve sophomore forward Krista Lersch.

Western ranks second in the GNAC in both free throw shooting at 73.8 percent (214-of-290) and blocked shots with a 4.3 per-game average. The Vikings' biggest problems have been poor shooting, hitting just 39.0 percent (327-of-838) from the floor, and turnovers, where they are averaging 23.9 per game and already have 101 more than the opposition.

UPCOMING GAMES:

Jan. 17 (Thu.) SEATTLE PACIFIC*# (CARVER GYM - 7 p.m.) Jan. 19 (Sat.) NORTHWEST NAZARENE* (CARVER GYM - 7 p.m.) Jan. 24 (Thu.) at Western Oregon* (Monmouth, Ore.- P.E. Building - 7 p.m.) Jan. 26 (Sat.) at Saint Martin's* (Lacey, WA - SMU Pavilion - 7 p.m.) Home games (all caps) on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium #broadcast on KBAI Radio (930 AM) and via the internet at wwuvikings.com *Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest

THREE-DOT NOTES: Western, 1-3 at Carver Gym this season, has not had four home losses in a campaign since 1997-98 ... In the last four games, Moehrle has averaged 11.3 points, hitting 43.5 percent (10-of-23) from beyond the arc, and 6.5 rebounds ... Pallansch has scored double-figure points in seven of the last eight games, averaging 13.3 points during that span ... Over the last three games, the Vikings have shot just 33.5 percent (58-of-173) from the field and 26.1 percent (12-of-46) from 3-point range, but have made 60-of-76 free throws (78.9 percent) ... Western's double overtime game with UC San Diego on Dec. 29 tied the school record for longest contest. The Vikings also lost in double OT to Seattle Pacific on Feb. 7, 1984 (83-77) and to Simon Fraser on Feb. 6, 1999 (75-73) ... Dolfo picked up career win No.350 over Cal State Monterey Bay on Dec. 18 at Las Vegas, Nevada ... Dunbar and Soo have each been named to two all-tournament teams this season. Soo was an all-tourney pick at the CCAA/GNAC Classic as was Dunbar at the Great Western Shootout. Holgate and Soo were all-tourney picks at the 11th annual WWU Lynda Goodrich Classic, and Dunbar and Pallansch received all-tournament recognition at Disney's DII West Coast Tip-Off Classic .... The Vikings have made nine straight NCAA II national tournament appearances and 10 consecutive trips to nationals.

THINK PINK: The WWU Athletics Department is joining the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and more than 250 colleges and universities around the country to raise breast cancer awareness on Saturday, Feb. 9, when the Western women's basketball team entertains Seattle University on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium. Help the Vikings paint the gym pink and increase breast cancer awareness. There will be a free pink bandana give-away to all fans attending the game, pink helmets, pink promotions, raffles and much more! Wear pink and help WWU in its efforts to "Think Pink!" and fight breast cancer.

FOOD DRIVE: The WWU Athletics Department id conducting a food drive throughout the month of January to help restock the Whatcom County Food Bank. Bring nonperishable food items to any of the Vikings' six home basketball games during January and receive $1 off admission. For more information, call (360) 650-4314.

VIKINGS' PAINFUL CAMPAIGN: It has been a season like no other for Western in regards to injuries and related issues. A timetable of the events follows:

* It is determined just prior to fall quarter that junior point guard Elyse Hartman, a part-time starter, must redshirt in order to completely recover from an injury to her left knee that ended her 2006-07 season on Feb. 2 and required surgery.

* In late September, junior forward Willow Cabe, who averaged 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds off the bench, decides not to return to school.

* During pre-season practice, senior forward Liz McCarrell suffers a season-ending dislocation and torn ligament in her right foot that required surgery. McCarrell, a returning starter, averaged 10.9 points and was a second-team league all-star.

* On Nov. 9, senior forward Krystal Robinson suffers a career-ending ACL tear in her left knee during an exhibition game with Pacific Lutheran. She was a returning starter who averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and a GNAC-leading 2.9 blocks, which ranked fourth nationally. Robinson finished second among school career leaders in blocks with 190.

* Redshirt freshman guard Amanda Dunbar misses two games in mid-November with stress fracture suffered at Disney's DII West Coast Tip-Off Classic.

* Junior point guard India Soo misses two games in early December with Achilles' tendon injury. She also has been hampered by shin splints.

* Sophomore forward Krista Lersch injures her right knee in early December and misses six games.

* Junior forward Sarah Schramm missed two games last week with wrist injury. She also has been hampered by a shoulder injury and dental surgery.

* Sophomore center Tara Holgate suffers broken thumb at Seattle U. on Jan. 10, which requires surgery, and is out indefinitely.

SISTER ACT: Sarah and Kristin Schramm are the first sisters to play together on a Western team. Sarah, a junior, transferred to Western last year after spending a season at Gonzaga University. Kristin walked on this year after graduating from Chelan High School.

HOME COURT DOMINANCE: The Vikings are 372-63 (85.5 percent) in this their 36th year at Carver Gym (1-3 this season). Western has reached double-digit victories at home in each of the last 10 years with an 11-1 record on Haggen Court in 2006-07. Western was 14-1 in 2005-06, 12-1 in 2004-05, 11-2 in 2003-04, 12-2 in 2002-03, 13-1 in 2001-02, 13-1 in 2000-01, 12-0 in 1999-2000, 13-2 in 1998-99 and 10-4 in 1997-98.

COACH DOLFO: Carmen Dolfo is in her 17th year as head coach at Western. She has a 350-134 (72.3 percent) record. Entering this season, Dolfo ranked No.9 among active NCAA II coaches in winning percentage and No.25 in victories. Dolfo's teams have reached post-season play 15 times and have won 20 or more games 13 times. She was named GNAC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2006, Northwest small college Coach of the Year in 2000 and Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Dolfo was the top Viking assistant for four seasons (95-28, 77.2) and earned All-America honors as a player at Western.

TRADITION OF SUCCESS: With 782 victories in its 37-year history, Western is one of just four NCAA Division II schools that has reached the 775 milestone and 10 nationally in all NCAA divisions ... The Vikings have made 27 straight post-season appearances and 33 overall, reaching nationals 16 times, including one semifinal and three quarterfinal finishes ... They also have had 27 20-win seasons ... Western has had 20 winning streaks of 10 or more games with its longest being 20, and its longest losing streak is just six games ... Former Western coach Lynda Goodrich, now the Vikings' director of athletics, is a member of the NAIA National Hall of Fame. She coached Western for 19 seasons, winning more than 400 games (411-124, 76.7 percent). Another Viking NAIA Hall of Famer is forward Jo Metzger (1977-81), who earned first-team All-American honors in 1980 and 1981 ... Western has had 13 first, second or third-team All-Americans.

RADIO BROADCASTS: Selected Western games are being broadcast this season on KBAI Radio (930 AM) with Doug Lange handling the play-by-play and Mark Scholten providing the color commentary. They also can be heard on the internet at www.wwuvikings.com.

ON THE WEB: For up-to-date statistics, box scores of every game, records, stories, etc., see the Western Athletic web page at www.wwuvikings.com. Up-to-date league standings and statistics can be found on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web page at www.gnacsports.com.

PROBABLE WESTERN STARTERS & TOP RESERVES:

F Gabby Wade, 5-9, *So., Lacey, WA/River Ridge G Marelle Moehrle, 5-9, Fr., Lynnwood, WA/Meadowdale C Claire Pallansch, 6-1, *Jr., Redmond, WA/Redmond/Oregon State G Amanda Dunbar, 5-9, R-Fr., Marysville, WA/Marysville-Pilchuck G India Soo, 5-6, *Jr., Kamuela, HI/Kamehameha/Idaho State

F Krista Lersch, 6-2, *So., Lynnwood, WA/Blanchet G Kristin Schramm, 5-9, Fr., Chelan, WA/Chelan G Kaitlin McBride, 5-7, Fr., Bothell, WA/Bothell C Lauren Hefflin, 6-2, Fr., Ridgefield, WA/Ridgefield Inj. F Sarah Schramm, 6-0, *Jr., Chelan, WA/Chelan/Gonzaga *letters won

GAME SUMMARIES:

Jan. 10 - Seattle U. 64, WESTERN 52 at Seattle, WA

Western did not score for nearly eight minutes to open the second half, allowing 19 consecutive points, as it fell 64-52 to Seattle U. in a GNAC game at Connolly Center. Western, which had 26 turnovers and shot just 30.5 percent (18-of-59) from the field, was led by Holgate, who came off the bench with 12 points and nine rebounds. Seattle U., which remained unbeaten in six home games this season, improved to 11-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. The Redhawks, who are ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense (49.3 avg.), got a game-high 16 points on 7-of-9 field-goal shooting from forward Laina Sobczak. Guard Jackie Thomas scored 13 points, nine during the decisive stretch to open the second half, and forward Kamrica Ary-Turner had 12 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Leading by one point, 27-26 at halftime, Western turned the ball over nine times and was 0-of-11 from the field over the first 7:40 of the second half as the Redhawks scored 19 straight points to take a 43-27 advantage. The Vikings never got closer than 11 after that. Trailing by six points, 14-8, midway through the first half, Western responded with a 16-4 run, Pallansch scoring six points, over the next 6:41 to lead 24-18 with four minutes left in the period after a pair of 3-pointers by Moehrle. The Redhawks then scored eight of the last 11 points to cut the Vikings' lead to one at the intermission. Moehrle and Pallansch also had 12 points for Western, and Dunbar added 11. The Vikings have now lost back-to-back games to Seattle after winning 21 straight in the series.

Jan. 12 - Montana State Billings 69, WESTERN 67 at Billings, MT

Dunbar scored 12 of her team-high 22 points in the last three minutes as Western nearly overcame a 14-point second-half deficit before falling 69-67 to Montana State Billings in a GNAC game at Alterowitz Gymnasium. Pallansch had 13 points for the Vikings and Soo added 11. MSUB, which is in its first season in the GNAC after winning the Heartland Conference title last year, improved to 6-7 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Yellowjackets, who are 4-1 at home, were led by the game-high 29 points of guard Alira Carpenter. Kayla McPherson came off the bench to add 17. Carpenter was 10-of-25 from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and made 5-of-6 free throws. McPherson connected on 5-of-7 3-pointers. Trailing by 10 points, 63-53, with just under four minutes to play, Western outscored the Yellowjackets 14-6 the rest of the way with Dunbar having the last 12 for the Vikings. A Dunbar 3-pointer put Western within four, 69-65, with 43 seconds left and she hit two free throws with 36 seconds to go for a two-point deficit. The Yellowjackets worked the clock down to six seconds before Carpenter missed. The Vikings got the rebound, but were unable to get a shot off. MSUB got out to a 20-12 lead over the first seven minutes, Carpenter scoring 10 during that stretch, hitting 4-of-5 field goals including two 3-pointers. Western rallied with an 11-2 run to take a 23-22 lead on two Pallansch free throws with 5:13 left in the period and later scored eight straight points, four by Lersch, who was making her first appearance after missing six games with a knee injury, to lead 33-30 with 2:19 to go. MSUB countered with four points by Carpenter for a 35-33 lead before a Soo 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go gave the Vikings a 36-35 halftime advantage. The Vikings still led by three points early in the second half, then MSUB scored 17 straight points over a 4:30 stretch to take it biggest lead of 14 points, 54-40, with 14 minutes remaining. Western, which had a season-low 16 turnovers, shot only 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the floor, but hit 24-of-28 free throws (85.7 percent). Wade grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the Vikings, who trailed 47-42 on the boards. MSUB shot just 34.2 percent (25-of-73) from the field, but made nine of 20 3-point attempts (45.0 percent). Guard Shantell Marquis had nine points, eight rebounds and a game-high seven assists for the Yellowjackets.