BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Northwest Nazarene University women's basketball team continues to find ways to win, pulling out an overtime thriller 78-76 at Western Washington on Saturday.

The Nighthawks got two free throws from McKenna Walker with 51 seconds left and then made two defensive stands to earn their 11th consecutive victory.

"We gutted it out," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "A lot didn't go our way – we didn't shoot the ball well and we were in foul trouble; but this just means we are tough."

The win sets up a huge game Thursday against No. 4 Alaska Anchorage at 7 p.m. in Nampa. The winner will have the inside track to the regular season conference championship.

On Saturday, the Nighthawks (20-3 overall, 16-2 GNAC) survived foul trouble throughout by making their free throws including a 12-for-12 performance by Walker.

"She found a way to make an impact on our team even though she wasn't shooting well from the field," Steele said. "The last couple of games the ball hasn't gone down for her, but tonight she did a great job of finding other ways to contribute."

The Nighthawks also pulled down 17 offensive rebounds to just six for the Vikings a key stat, as NNU shot just 33.2 percent from the field.

"Most of all, I was proud of how we rebounded," Steele said. "I think that was the biggest difference tonight and the biggest improvement we've shown this year."

Carly Parker scored four points in a minute to give NNU a 68-65 lead in regulation, but Western Washington's Emma Duff sank a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to tie the game. Kaitlyn Merritt had a chance to win the game, but her baseline jumper was off.

In overtime, the teams went back and forth until Raquel Jardine had a nice up-and-under for a three-point play and a 76-74 lead with 1:44 remaining.

Duff, a freshman, then made two free throws to tie the game with 1:22 left.

The Nighthawks then ran down most of the shot clock and eventually Avery Albrecht had her shot blocked, Walker grabbed the rebound and was fouled right before the shot clock ran out. She calmly sank both free throws and after a 3-pointer by Duff rimmed out NNU had the ball with 32 seconds remaining.

The Nighthawks dribbled the entire shot clock out as Western never fouled. The Vikings then missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"Western is hands down the most improved team in this conference," Steele said. "I can't believe how much better they are than the first time we played them.

"They are going to be a really tough out in the conference tournament for whoever they get."

The victory means NNU sweeps Western in the regular season for the first time since 2008. It also keeps the Nighthawks just a single game behind Anchorage in the regular-season title race.

Walker finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Lexi Tubbs had 14 points. Parker added 12 points, five rebounds and five steals, while Danielle Jardine had 10 points and five rebounds. Raquel Jardine added eight points and four rebounds.

The Nighthawks were 30-of-38 from the line and forced 31 turnovers.