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LAS VEGAS --- A late surge by Western Washington University broke open a close game and the Otters fell 87-72 Tuesday in Cal State Monterey Bay's opening game at the Great Western Shootout in Las Vegas.

The game was tied 39-39 at the half and CSUMB (2-5) was able to maintain a small lead through the beginning of the second half. Dana Andrews, who led all scorers with 24, hit a three-pointer with 10:44 to go in the game to put the Otters ahead 58-55, but two free throws by the Vikings' Tara Holgate put Western Washington ahead 61-60 with 9:03 left. After that, the Vikings never looked back, completing a 19-2 run that put them ahead 76-62.

"We played pretty well most of the game," said CSUMB coach Amber Magner. "But we had a stretch of about four minutes were we got away from what we do. We weren't passing the ball enough. They got a big lead and we got demoralized."

Amanda Dunbar led Western Washington (3-6) with 23 points despite leaving the game early in the second half with an injury. Claire Pallansch made up for her absence with 19 points and Holgate scored 12 for the Vikings.

Alma Lopez had another great game for CSUMB. She scored 14, dished out 11 assists, made two steals and grabbed five boards. Ja'Nae Westmoreland led the Otters in rebounding with six and scored 12 points as well.

But the Vikings had a huge advantage off the boards, grabbing 48 rebounds to the Otters' 35. Pallansch had 11 rebounds and Holgate had nine. The Vikings also outscored the Otters by 10 from the foul line, making 27 of 33 to the Otters' 17 of 27.

"They had a huge size advantage inside," said Magner. "They were really big."

The women play Central Washington University at 11 a.m. today. Tuesday, Central Washington University stunned UC San Diego, ranked third in Div. II, with a 67-57 victory. Four players score in double figures for the Wildcats, which remain unbeaten this season at 7-0. UC San Diego is now 8-1.