Nov. 4, 2007

Box Score

ANAHEIM, Calif. - After rallying to take a one-point lead, Western Washington University did not score in the final 5:12 as it fell 55-45 to UC San Diego in final-day action Sunday at the Disney's Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Vikings, who lost two of three games at the season-opening tournament, were led by redshirt freshman guard Amanda Dunbar (Marysville/Marysville-Pilchuck) with a game-high 12 points. Center Claire Pallansch (Jr., Redmond) tied for game-high honors with 10 rebounds.

UC San Diego, which won all three games at the tourney, had three players score nine points each and forward Michelle Osier grabbed 10 rebounds. Last year, the Tritons finished 27-5, reaching the semifinals at the NCAA II Elite Eight after winning West Regional and California Collegiate Athletic Association titles.

Trailing by 10 points, 41-31, with 11:23 remaining, Western scored 12 of the next 13 points to take a 43-42 lead with 7:45 to go on a jumper by forward Krystal Robinson (Sr., Kent/Kentridge).

The Vikings still led by one, 45-44, on another basket by Robinson with just over five minutes left. But from that point on they were outscored 11-0, missing seven shots and having three turnovers.

Osier had five points, five rebounds and a steal for UC San Diego during that stretch.

Western shot just 32.7 percent (18-of-55) from the field in the game and turned the ball over 23 times, but had a 45-38 edge in rebounds.

The Vikings held UC San Diego to 31.6 percent (18-of-57) floor accuracy, including just 5-of-17 from 3-point range. The Tritons had 12 steals and 14 turnovers.

UC San Diego scored 10 unanswered points over a three-minute span to take a 21-11 lead with 7:21 left in the first period and led 29-25 at halftime. The Tritons extended that advantage to 10 points five minutes into the second half and maintained that midway through the period.

Robinson finished with nine points and five rebounds.

Both Pallansch and Robinson were named to the all-tournament team.

Western next entertains Pacific Lutheran University on Friday (6 p.m.) in an exhibition game on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.