By: Jenessa Gladstone
Box Score Burnaby, BC - The Simon Fraser University women's basketball team moved into second place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a victory over the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets, 89-58 on
Thursday night.
“I think it's key to gain our confidence back after transitioning from having a loss and dealing with the mistakes," said
Kristina Collins (Port Coquitlam, BC). "We came out and showed we can be a confident team that plays together. Everyone contributed and it feels really good to come out in the second half of the season like that.“
Collins earned a double-double on the night, scoring 16 points and recording 10 assists.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Toronto, ON) also earned a double-double knocking down 11 points and 10 rebounds, all of which came in the first half.
Katie Lowen (Lethbridge, AB) and
Erin Chambers (Mission, BC) also helped out to SFU's convincing win, adding 13 points each.
Bobbi Knudsen led MSUB with 18 points and eight assists.
Raincock-Ekunwe knocked down the first bucket of the game, giving the Clan an early lead over the Yellowjackets.
SFU continued to control the play until the Yellowjackets took off on a quick 5-0 run to tie up the score and gain a one point edge with 9:27 remaining in the first half, 23-22.
With 2:46 on the clock, the Clan answered back with a 10-0 run regaining their lead.
Thanks to a last second three-pointer from guard
Marie-Line Petit (Bergeronnes, QC), the Clan took their largest lead of the half into the locker rooms, 44-32.
Continuing to carry the momentum, SFU came out fighting in the second half, expanding their lead to 19 within five minutes.
The Clan dominated, outscoring the Yellowjackets 45-26 in the second half, and grabbing 36 rebounds to MSUB's 29.
The win boosts SFU's record to 5-1 in the GNAC while increasing to 12-2 overall.
“Having a big crowd always helps, when we get on streaks they get loud and help us push through,” commented
Carla Wyman (North Vancouver, BC) who added 10 points after suffering a series of injuries throughout the first half of the season.
The Clan will take on the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Saturday,
January 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the West Gym. Admission is free for SFU students.
