BELLINGHAM, Wash.  – The Vikings held a 21-point advantage at halftime and it would prove to be too much for MSU Billings as the Yellowjackets fell in Bellingham 100-51 Saturday night.
 
Western Washington University (7-5, 1-2 GNAC) kicked-off the Great Northwest Athletic Conference game with runs of 8-0 and a big 12-2 to make the advantage double-digits at halftime.
 
Led by Katie Colard's 18, six players from Western Washington scored points in the double-digits. The team had some sharp shooting from the floor, making 38-63 shots for 60.3 percent in the game. The Vikings were also 9-12 and 75.0 percent from the 3-point arc.
 
MSU Billings was limited to a dismal 25.5 percent from the floor (14-55) and made no 3-point baskets in the game (0-6).
 
"Western Washington played extremely well, congratulations to them. I was very impressed with their play, and we did not play well," MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. "Give Western all the credit in the world. It was just one of those nights where the other team played outstanding, and we were unable to respond."
 
Kayleen Goggins was the bright spot for the Yellowjackets with a double-double and game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds.  The St. Vincent Player of the Game for tonight was 6-21 in the game, but 11-13 from the free-throw line. Alisha Breen was the only other player adding more than single digits, finishing with 10 points and connecting on all six of her free-throw shots. Monica Grimsrud had eight points, including making both of her free throws (2-2) on the night.
 
With two minutes left in the first half, the Vikings had driven their lead up to 25 points, 47-22. The Yellowjackets scored the last four points of the half, on two free-throws from Marissa Van Atta and a lay-up from Goggins, but the Vikings held a 21-point advantage, 47-26 going into the break.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, MSUB kept the margin within range, bringing the point spread down to 20, 54-34 with 16:43 left, but over the next five minutes WWU went on a 21-5 run to open the game up and close down the Yellowjackets.
 
Solid pressure on both sides of the floor from the Vikings kept Western Washington in control for the remaining minutes. With 22 seconds left in the game, WWU finished off the Yellowjackets by the largest margin of the night, 49 points, on two free-throws from Marcel Pounds.
 
Western Washington held the advantage in most of the categories, including outrebounding the 'Jackets 35-32. The Yellowjackets also had 21 turnovers to the Vikings' 12.
 
The Yellowjackets will look to rebound next week, as the team has only one game on their docket.
 
"We need to take this next week to work hard and get ready for our next GNAC game in Seattle Pacific," Coach Woodin said. "I am looking forward to being home these next two weeks, and I know our team will use this upcoming week to get better and respond well with a great effort next Saturday."
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings kicks off a three-game home stand starting with travel partner and nationally-ranked Seattle Pacific at home on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. The following week, MSU Billings hosts two more GNAC competitions which will both be doubleheaders with the men's basketball team. MSUB plays Central Washington on Thursday, Jan. 15, followed by Northwest Nazarene on Saturday, Jan. 17.