UCSD Loses Fourth Straight Following 82-64 Setback to Western Washington

SEATTLE - Kristin Schramm led five players in double figures as Western Washington handed No. 11 UC San Diego an 82-64 defeat in the opening game of the Seattle Pacific Sodexo Tip-Off Classic on Friday afternoon at Royal Brougham Pavilion on the SPU campus.

Western Washington (1-0) shot 57.7% from the field and hit 10-of-16 from the three-point line en route to the program's first victory over UCSD. The Tritons were a perfect 7-0 in seven previous meeting with the Vikings entering Friday's game.

The Tritons, who lost all three of their games at the Disney West Coast Tipoff Classic in Anaheim last weekend, fall to 0-4 on the year. UCSD has not lost four straight to open a season since the 2002-03 squad started 0-9.

Schramm converted 7-of-10 attempts from the floor, including 2-of-3 from behind the arc, to lead all scorers off the bench. Lauren Hefflin tallied a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Amanda Dunbar and Megan Pinske scored 11 points apiece and Corinn Waltrip chipped in with 10.

Lauren Freidenberg finished with 16 points and six rebounds to lead UCSD, shooting 5-of-11 from the floor. Chelsea Carlisle tallied 15 points, six rebounds and three steals and Emily Osga put together another outstanding effort, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Carlisle, who was coming off a school-record 46 point effort in UCSD's 120-118 triple overtime loss to Grand Canyon on Sunday, was just 6-of-16 from the field and 2-of-6 from downtown.

The Tritons shot 34% (20-59) from the field, including a dismal 26% (7-27) in the first half when the Vikings built a 20-point halftime lead. Western Washington wrapped up the opening period at a scorching 64% (18-28) and finished 30-of-52 overall.

The Vikings were in control from the opening tip, taking a 22-9 lead on Pinkse's second three of the game nine minutes in. A Schramm triple and a layup by Hefflin made it 34-16 in favor of WWU and Hefflin's jumper just before the buzzer gave the Vikings their biggest lead at 43-23 heading into the locker room.

Hefflin and Schramm scored 12 points apiece in the opening half, while Friedenberg tallied 10 points and five boards.

Western led by as many as 29 (74-45) with nine minutes remaining, before UCSD rallied to within 18 at the final horn. The Tritons converted nine free throws and Carlisle and Megan Perry hit threes down the stretch, as UCSD closed the game on a 19-8 run.

WWU held a 39-28 advantage on the glass and outscored UCSD 27-15 off the bench.

The Tritons will wrap up the Sodexo Classic against host and eighth-ranked Seattle Pacific on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. The Vikings will take on San Francisco State in the early game at 1:00 p.m.