BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The visiting Bushnell University women's basketball team fell in their season-opening exhibition match at Western Washington University, 72-35, on Thursday night.
 
The Vikings (0-0), who finished last season ranked No. 16 in the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, were led by Olivia Wikstrom's 16 points. Mason Oberg added 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting and Brooke Walling recorded a game-high nine boards.
 
WWU shot 49.1% from the floor, making 8-of-17 attempts from beyond the arc. The Vikings finished with a 39-27 rebounding margin and took advantage of 24 Beacon turnovers.
 
Bushnell (0-0) was led by Libby Mathis, who tallied 13 points and eight rebounds. Aspen Slifka posted 10 points and four steals, while Liv Tjoelker (pictured) and Aly Mirabile added five points each.
 
The Beacons shot 27.8% from the field, including 1-of-9 from three-point range and were 4-for-10 at the free throw line.
 
Up next, Bushnell continues their non-conference schedule with a pair of games in Montana, taking on Montana Western (Nov. 2) and Montana Tech (Nov. 3).