Thursday, December 20, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington is closing in on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference record for most consecutive victories.

The Vikings extended their win streak to 15 with two victories Tuesday and Wednesday in the South Point Hoop Classic in Las Vegas.  The record of 18 was set by Alaska Anchorage during the 2007-08 when the Seawolves reached the semifinal game of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight tournament.

WWU could tie the record with wins against Thompson River on Dec. 30, Seattle Pacific on Jan. 3 and MSU Billings on Jan. 5.  The Vikings then host Central Washington on Jan. 10 and conceivably would have a chance to break the record against their long-time arch-rivals.

WWU's school record is 23.   That streak was ended by SPU at Brougham Pavilion late in the 1971-72 season. 

WWU's game with Thompson Rivers on the 30th is one of three non-conference games remaining on the GNAC schedule before conference play resumes in January.  Montana State Billings hosts Carroll and Northwest Nazarene entertains Montana Tech on Saturday, Dec. 29.

Conference teams have compiled an impressive 58-23 record (.716 winning percentage) in non-conference games this fall though that percentage did take a hit this week as conference teams split 12 contests.

Winners included the Vikings who beat 14th ranked Drury (Mo.) 72-69 and Central Oklahoma 103-74; Central Washington, which defeated West Florida 87-80 to earn a split in Las Vegas; Alaska Fairbanks which scored 124 points in a 124-59 win against Multnomah, Montana State Billings which outscored city rival Rocky Mountain 102-90 and Seattle Pacific which defeated Warner Pacific 75-66.

Check out this week's GNAC Weekly Report for more information on this week's games.