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Nov. 7, 2012

BELLINHGAM, Wash. - The nationally ranked Western Washington University women's basketball team travels to Corvallis, Ore., to take on NCAA Division I Oregon State University on Saturday (2 p.m.), Nov. 10, at Gill Coliseum on the OSU campus.

The game, which will be streamed live on the Pac-12.com TV channel, is the season and home opener for OSU and an exhibition for the Vikings.

It is the third and final exhibition for WWU, ranked No.14 in the USA Today Sports/ESPN Division II Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Vikings defeated British Columbia, 71-51, at home on Oct. 27, and lost 100-93 in double overtime at Seattle U. on Nov. 3.

OSU, which has won 14 straight season openers, is coming off a trip to the Sweet 16 of the Women's National Invitational Tournament and only the team's third 20-win season in the past 28 years. The Beavers are picked to finish fifth in the 2012 Pac-12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, the highest projection in program history.

OSU head coach Scott Ruech was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year by the conference media. Among his top returnees is 6-4 senior center Patricia Bright (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.5 bpg), who blocked 115 shots and was voted to the Pac-12 all-defensive team.

WWU leads 4-2 in its series with OSU, but the two teams have not played since 1979.

Against Seattle U., WWU got 22 points from shooting guard Katie Colard (So., McCleary/Elma), who made five 3-pointers, and 21 from point guard Corinn Waltrip (Sr., Tigard, OR). The Chieftains needed two buzzer beaters to send the game into both extra periods.

WWU center Britt Harris (Sr., Marysville/Marysville-Pilchuck) scored a game-high 18 points in the win over British Columbia. Harris and Waltrip are among three Vikings named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason all-conference team. The other is guard/forward Trishi Williams (Sr., Mabton).

WWU, which was rated No.12 in the Division II Bulletin preseason poll, received seven of 10 first-place votes in being picked to win the GNAC title in the coaches preseason poll

Last year, the Vikings finished 22-8 and reached the semifinal round at regionals. Four starters and 10 letter winners return from that squad for head coach Carmen Dolfo (22nd year, 446-169).

Dolfo ranks No.12 nationally among active Division II coaches in winning percentage (.725) and No.13 in victories. Her winning percentage all-time is No.24 and her victory total No.31.

WWU opens its regular season with six home games, beginning with Azusa Pacific on Friday (7:30 p.m.), Nov. 16, in the opening round of the West Region Crossover Classic.