Women's Basketball | 2/2/2012 9:26:00 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Western Oregon women's basketball team once again battled one of the top teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to the wire, but once again the Vikings were able to find a way to sneak past the Wolves with a 68-59 victory on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Rylee Peterson, coming off a career-high 32 points against Seattle Pacific, scored a team-best 18 points and hauled in seven rebounds. Jade Haas added 16 points and five steals. Kristin Schramm had a game-high 22 points for the Vikings in 24 minutes of play.

WOU fell behind right from the beginning as WWU scored the first 12 points of the game. The Wolves would fight their way back with a 13-2 run, and tie the game at the half (27-27). Western Oregon's only lead of the game came early in the second half when they scored back-to-back baskets after WWU made the initial bucket of the frame.

However, after WOU grabbed the lead the Vikings answered with 11 straight points to take a lead they would never relinquish. The Wolves would cut the margin to four points on a free throw by Haas with 1:28 remaining but the Vikings made 5-of-6 shots down the stretch to seal the game.

"I thought we competed very well and was very happy with our effort tonight," said Western Oregon head coach Greg Bruce. "We could have folded after they scored teh first 12 points of the game but we weathered the storm and fought our way back."

Western Oregon hung in the game thanks to its domination in the turnover category. WOU had just 18 turnovers compared to WWU, and it outscored the Vikings 28-6 in points off turnovers. The Wolves also passed the ball well as they had 17 assists on 23 made baskets.

This is the second time this season the Wolves and Vikings have had their game decided by single digits. Earlier in the season, the Vikings staged off the upset in Monmouth by scoring the final six points of the game for a 66-61 win.

"It was a good team effort but we just came up a little short again," Bruce continued. "We have been playing better the last few games and I just hope we can carry this momentum into Saturday's game."

The Wolves road trip will continue on Saturday as they journey to Burnaby, B.C. to take on Simon Fraser. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.